Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen) | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in Bournemouth is seeking a Head Chef for their Catering Services. The successful candidate will manage day-to-day operations, oversee kitchen staff, and ensure high-quality food production, adhering to hygiene standards. This role involves developing menus, managing costs, and training staff. Strong leadership skills and knowledge of food safety regulations are essential. This position supports a commitment to putting patients first within the NHS framework.

Qualifications

• Experience managing kitchen staff in a high-volume environment.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations.
• Ability to develop new dishes and manage food costs.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day catering operations and food production.
• Oversee staff training and performance evaluations.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations.

Job description

Overview

To liaise with CPK Manager to ensure that the provision of Catering services and for the day-to-day production of comprehensive, high-quality, cost-effective meals and menu items for both patients and staff across our University Hospital Dorset sites, ensuring that production meet demands of our hospital population.

Responsibilities

• Be part of the management team assisting, advising and devising strategies to enable the smooth running of the department.
• Managing and participating in ensuring a high standard of food production, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Developing new dishes and menus, ensuring variety and quality, and adapting to seasonal ingredients.
• Ensuring consistency and efficiency in production.
• Overseeing the selection, ordering of ingredients, managing stock levels, and minimizing waste.
• Supervising and directing all kitchen staff (Chefs and Catering Assistant and Store person).
• Training new and existing staff on techniques, recipes, and safety procedures.
• Evaluating staff performance, providing feedback, and addressing any issues or disciplinary matters.
• Overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of kitchen equipment.
• Managing food costs, minimizing waste, and ensuring profitability.
• Addressing any issues that arise in the kitchen, from equipment malfunctions to staffing shortages.
• Ensuring the kitchen adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations, including food hygiene standards.
• Adhering to all company policies and procedures related to the kitchen operation.
• Your responsibilities will include the catering stores.
• Ensure all the cleaning Schedules and production recipes are signed off.

About UHD and role context

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions at interview.

This post is part of the Catering service that UHD may transfer to an NHS ‘wholly owned subsidiary’; the proposed date of transfer is October 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing, expanding, organisation with a strong commitment to NHS values and putting patients first. The NHS wholly owned subsidiary will continue to offer NHS AFC T&Cs to current employees who transfer in October as well as to new employees recruited after that date.

How to learn more

Please review the job description and person specification to gain a better understanding of the Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen) role.

This advert closes on Sunday 5 Oct 2025