Head Chef - Gloucester

Eurest UK; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Eurest UK at Safran Group in Gloucester is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a high-volume kitchen and deliver exceptional food offerings. You will manage day-to-day operations, lead the team, and drive improvements in quality, cost control and customer satisfaction.

You will oversee purchasing, stock, suppliers and food safety, using catering management systems and working closely with the client to continually enhance the food offer and overall experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in high-volume catering.
• Experience delivering high-quality food production at scale.
• Strong track record in purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Experience maintaining food safety systems (HACCP) to company standards.
• Familiarity with catering management systems for online ordering, planning and stock management.
• Demonstrates leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Passion for food quality and customer experience.
• Desirable: contract catering experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the kitchen team to maintain high standards.
• Manage high-volume production while preserving quality, presentation and consistency.
• Plan menus to meet customer expectations.
• Oversee food purchasing, ordering and supplier relationships.
• Control stock, waste and food costs to maximise performance.
• Carry out stock takes and maintain catering records.
• Ensure HACCP and food safety procedures are followed.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety across the kitchen.
• Utilise catering management systems for ordering, planning and stock.
• Collaborate with site team and client to enhance food offer and customer experience.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in kitchen operations.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Culinary excellence

HACCP

Menu planning

Stock control

Supplier relationships

Food safety

Online ordering systems

Communication

Organisational skills

High-volume catering

Tools

Catering management software

Job description

Eurest is looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to join our team at Safran Group in Gloucester. This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who thrives in a high-volume catering environment and is passionate about delivering consistently high-quality food, while maintaining strong commercial and operational standards. You'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, leading the team and ensuring an exceptional food offer for our customers. You'll also play a key role in managing purchasing, stock, suppliers, food safety and overall kitchen performance.

• Leading and developing the kitchen team to deliver consistently high standards.
• Managing high-volume food production while maintaining quality, presentation and consistency.
• Planning menus and ensuring the food offer meets customer expectations.
• Managing food purchasing, ordering and supplier relationships.
• Controlling stock, waste and food costs to maximise commercial performance.
• Completing stock takes and maintaining accurate catering records.
• Ensuring all food safety, hygiene and HACCP procedures are followed.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, health and safety across the kitchen.
• Using catering management systems for online ordering, menu planning and stock management.
• Working closely with the wider site team and client to continually improve the food offer and customer experience.
• Driving innovation and continuous improvement across the kitchen operation.

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Minimum 2 years' experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a high-volume catering environment.
• Proven experience managing high-quality food production at volume.
• A strong track record of managing food purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Experience maintaining food safety systems in line with HACCP and company standards.
• Experience using catering management systems, including online food ordering, menu planning and stock management software.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• A genuine passion for food, quality and delivering an excellent customer experience.
• Desirable: Previous experience within contract catering.