Head Chef

Suffolk County Council; Woodbridge; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employer pension contribution

Employee well-being programme

Uniform provided

Sickness and Absence Scheme

Job summary

Grundisburgh Primary School invites applications for a Head Chef to lead the school catering team. You will oversee lunch service, manage the kitchen, and ensure nutritious meals in a safe environment.

The role requires purchasing oversight, menu planning, stock control, and collaboration with staff to meet allergies and dietary needs. Term-time, 25 hours/week, permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Essential: NVQ Level 3/City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 or equivalent.
• Experience of leading kitchen team.
• Demonstrable passion for food and customer service.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Line manage the kitchen assistant and lead the catering team daily.
• Take the lead on purchasing and meet suppliers with school staff.
• Produce a 2-week termly menu cycle aligned with FSA recommendations.
• Lead lunch preparation according to daily/weekly menus.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety awareness

Customer service

Calm under pressure

Education

NVQ Level 3 / City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or equivalent

Job description

• Grundisburgh Primary School
• Address:Grundisburgh, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 6XH
• Salary:£15.06 per hour, £29,071 FTE per annum
• Hours:25 hours per week, 8.30am – 1.30pm, Monday – Friday, 38 weeks per year, term time only
• Contract:Permanent, required to start 4 January 2027
• Reference:5601

The Head Chef is a highly visible, key member of Grundisburgh Primary School. Providing healthy and nutritious meals to our pupils to ensure that they can learn to the best of their ability.

We are looking for someone to lead our team forward and who will show commitment, flair and innovation to ensure that the catering services supplied by the school are consistently of a high standard.

You are expected to work in a clean and hygienic way and to comply with the School’s Health, Safety and Welfare Policy and Food Safety Management System.

As the Head Chef, you will:

• line manage the kitchen assistant and will lead the catering team each day to ensure lunch service runs smoothly and on time
• take the lead on all purchasing for the school kitchen and attend meetings with suppliers when required with a member of the school team
• be responsible for producing a 2 week termly menu cycle for the school alongside the headteacher, ensuring an attractive range of choices and that all allergies and dietary requirements are catered for. The menu will be in line with recommendations from the Food Standards Agency.
• lead with the preparation of lunch in accordance with the daily and weekly menus, delegating tasks as appropriate
• effectively manage the allocated catering expenditure to achieve best value and sustainability whilst meeting the high expectations of your customers
• manage and control stock levels to minimise waste and ensure cost efficiency
• ensure orders for all suppliers are placed before the cut off times and make sure ingredients are on site when needed
• ensure regular stocktake is undertaken
• support other members of the Catering team with their duties as needed, or arrange for appropriate delegation.

What you will need

Essential:

• relevant qualification such as NVQ Level 3/City and Guilds 706/1 and 2 or equivalent
• experience of leading kitchen team
• a demonstrable passion for food and customer service
• ability to work calmly under pressure

  Desirable:

  • an intermediate food hygiene certificate
  • experience of catering in a school.

  About us

  Grundisburgh Primary School is a welcoming 1-form entry primary school nestled in the charming village of Grundisburgh, conveniently located between Woodbridge and Ipswich. Our school prides itself on a stable, experienced staff team committed to creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for every pupil. The school had a very positive OFSTED inspection in June 2026.

  What we will offer you

  • Support from a school catering management company, who assist with menu development and food safety management.
  • Generous employer pensions contributions
  • Access to employee well-being assistance programme
  • A supportive team
  • Full uniform will be provided
  • Sickness and Absence Scheme

  For more information

  Please read the Job Description (pdf).

  To find out more or to arrange a visit, please contact Adam Wilson, Headteacher by calling 01473 735281.

  Closing date:

  12 pm, 3 November 2026

  Interview date:

  12 November 2026

  We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

  Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.

  Grundisburgh Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position.

  Grundisburgh Primary School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, while carrying out his/her duties the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School he/she must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or Alternate.

  Grundisburgh Primary School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.