Head Chef - Bournville

Compass Group UK; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Eurest, part of Compass Group UK&I, is seeking a Hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen at our Bournville site. You will manage and develop the kitchen team, ensure food safety and high-quality presentation, and drive the ongoing improvement of the food offer in a busy manufacturing environment.

You will be responsible for cooking leadership, stock management, and delivering a superior hospitality experience for on-site dining and events.

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading a kitchen team in large-scale catering or food manufacturing.
• Experience in cost management and stock control.
• Strong food safety and HSE compliance knowledge.
• Passion for delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the kitchen team to deliver consistent high standard meals.
• Hands-on cooking and food preparation, leading by example.
• Ensure Compass standards, food safety and HSE requirements are followed.
• Elevate the existing food offer with innovative ideas and consistent execution.
• Promote hospitality and ensure events are delivered to a top standard.
• Manage ordering, stock control and regular stock takes.
• Monitor quality, portions and presentation for consistency.
• Collaborate with client and wider team to exceed expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Food safety

Stock control

Cost management

Multitasking

Quality focus

Communication

Creativity

Hospitality service

Job description

Head Chef - Bournville

Up to £35,000 per annum
Monday – Friday | 6:30am – 2:30pm
Occasional weekend support may be required

Lead, inspire and elevate the food offer

At Eurest, we believe great food and hospitality can transform the workplace experience. We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen operation at our Bournville site, ensuring consistently high standards while taking the existing food offer to the next level.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands‑on chef leader who enjoys developing teams, creating great food and driving continuous improvement in a busy food manufacturing environment.

About the role

As Head Chef, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation, leading and developing the kitchen team while ensuring food quality, service and presentation are consistently delivered to a high standard.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Managing, motivating and developing the kitchen team.
• Being hands‑on with cooking and food preparation, leading by example.
• Ensuring all Compass standards, food safety and HSE requirements are implemented and maintained.
• Elevating the current food offer through new ideas, innovation and consistent execution.
• Promoting the hospitality offer and ensuring events and hospitality are delivered to an exceptional standard.
• Managing ordering, stock control and regular stock takes.
• Monitoring food quality, presentation, portion control and consistency.
• Managing the kitchen effectively to deliver a smooth and efficient service.
• Working collaboratively with the wider team and client to understand and exceed expectations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve the customer experience and overall food offer.
• Providing a consistent approach across the operation, even during busy periods.
• Supporting occasional weekend visits where required to check food standards and service quality. These would generally be short standards checks rather than working a full shift.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef, Executive Chef or senior kitchen leader who has worked in a food manufacturing or large‑scale catering environment.

You’ll be:

• A confident and experienced kitchen leader with a proven track record of managing a team.
• Passionate about food, quality and delivering an outstanding customer experience.
• Commercially aware, with experience managing ordering, stock and food costs.
• Highly organised with the ability to multitask and prioritise in a fast‑paced environment.
• Consistent in your approach, with strong attention to detail.
• Creative and innovative, with the drive to improve and elevate an existing food offer.
• Confident promoting and delivering a high-quality hospitality service.
• A strong communicator who can build positive relationships with both colleagues and clients.
• Hands‑on, approachable and passionate about developing people.

What’s in it for you?

Joining Eurest means becoming part of Compass Group UK&I, with access to fantastic development opportunities, industry‑leading training and a range of employee benefits.

You’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact at this site, developing the food offer, inspiring your team and creating an exceptional workplace dining and hospitality experience.