Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation

The Menu Partners Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Training & development

Positive culture

Job summary

Absolute Taste, based in Manchester, is seeking a Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation to lead culinary mobilisation across new openings and transitions, supporting the Executive Head Chef.

The role covers new product development, food manufacturing onboarding, documentation, training delivery and operational support across hotels, restaurants, stadia and premium events. You will translate concepts into scalable, premium food offers and work across multiple sites, with nationwide travel.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a senior chef in high-quality hospitality settings.
• Experience across multi-site hospitality or production environments.
• Strong focus on innovation, menu development and brand standards.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Executive Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation across openings and transitions.
• Assist with site openings, launches and onboarding projects.
• Implement operational standards and food specifications across new sites and facilities.
• Lead mobilisation timelines, launch prep and readiness planning.
• Conduct site visits with senior culinary and operations teams.
• Assist with kitchen setup, menu implementation and testing during mobilisation.
• Develop innovative, commercially viable food concepts for multiple sectors.
• Collaborate with development, operations and manufacturing teams to scale concepts.

Skills

Head Chef

Multi-site operations

Menu development

Allergen management

Operational readiness

Job description

Who Are Absolute Taste and What Do We Do?

We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength.

As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.

About the Role

Location:

Based in Manchester with regular nationwide travel

Hours:

Monday - Friday, with flexibility to work shifts and weekends - project dependent

Absolute Taste is seeking a talented, organised and highly motivated Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation to support the Executive Head Chef in the successful onboarding, implementation and operational delivery of new business opportunities across our hospitality and food manufacturing portfolio.

This role will support the development and mobilisation of new food concepts across multiple sectors including hotels, restaurants, visitor attractions, premium events, stadia, food manufacturing, travel catering and high street brands.

The successful candidate will assist in translating culinary concepts into scalable, operationally effective and commercially viable food offers whilst maintaining the premium standards associated with the Absolute Taste brand.

The role combines hands-on culinary support, New Product Development (NPD), operational implementation, documentation creation, manufacturing support and training delivery.

Your key responsibilities as Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation will be :

• Support the Executive Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation with all culinary mobilisation activity across new business openings and transitions.
• Assist with site openings, operational launches and food manufacturing onboarding projects.
• Support the implementation of operational standards and food specifications across new sites and production facilities.
• Assist with mobilisation timelines, launch preparation and operational readiness planning.
• Conduct site visits and operational assessments alongside senior culinary and operational teams.
• Support kitchen setup, menu implementation and operational testing during mobilisation periods.

New Product Development (NPD)

• Support the development of innovative and commercially viable food concepts across multiple hospitality sectors.
• Assist in preparing dishes for client tastings, presentations and menu development sessions.
• Work collaboratively with development chefs, operations teams and manufacturing teams to ensure food concepts are scalable and operationally practical.
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Visitor attractions
• Stadia and sporting events
• Premium hospitality
• Food manufacturing
• High street brands
• Assist in maintaining consistency and quality across all new menu launches.
• Stay informed on emerging food trends and hospitality innovation.

Food Manufacturing & Production Support

• Support the integration of food manufacturing and central production processes into new business operations.
• Assist with:
  • Batch recipe development
  • Production specifications
  • Yield testing
  • Packaging trials
  • Regeneration procedures
  • Production trials and scale-up activity
• Work alongside production and manufacturing teams to ensure consistency between development kitchens and manufacturing environments.
• Support compliance with:
  • BRC standards
  • HACCP procedures
  • Food safety standards
  • Allergen management requirements
• Assist with factory trials and operational validation exercises.

Operational Documentation & Standards

• Assist in the creation and maintenance of operational documentation including:
  • How-To Sheets
  • Recipe Cards
  • Build Guides
  • Production Specifications
  • SOPs
  • Plating Guides
  • Kitchen Manuals
  • Training Documents
  • Allergen Information
  • Regeneration Guides
• Ensure all documentation is accurate, practical and aligned to operational requirements.
• Support standardisation of food quality and culinary processes across multiple sectors.

Training & Development Support

• Support the delivery of culinary and operational training programmes for new business openings.
• Assist in training kitchen and production teams on:
  • Menu execution
  • Food presentation
  • Production methods
  • Service standards
  • Regeneration procedures
  • Brand standards
  • Allergen awareness
• Provide hands-on support during launch periods and operational transitions.
• Assist with post-opening audits and operational follow-up visits.

Operational Support

• Provide hands-on culinary support during mobilisation projects, launches and peak operational periods.
• Support troubleshooting and consistency challenges across new business operations.
• Work flexibly across multiple sites, sectors and operational environments.
• Assist with kitchen organisation, workflow planning and operational efficiencies.
• Support procurement and supply chain teams with product testing and supplier evaluations.

Commercial Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of food offers in line with agreed GP targets and operational budgets.
• Assist with recipe costing and menu engineering exercises.
• Help identify opportunities for waste reduction and operational efficiencies.
• Support culinary preparation for tender presentations and client pitches.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head/ Regional/ Senior Chef within high-quality hospitality operations.
• Experience working across multi-site hospitality or food production environments.
• Strong passion for innovation and menu development.
• Understanding of operational kitchen procedures and food production methods.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Hands-on, flexible and adaptable approach.
• Full clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively.
• Experience within food manufacturing or central production environments.
• Exposure to mobilisation, new openings or operational launches.
• Knowledge of allergen management and food safety procedures.
• Experience within premium hospitality, stadia or major events.
• Understanding of BRC or food manufacturing compliance standards.

Why Join Absolute Taste?

Working with us means joining a fast-growing, innovative company that is redefining culinary and event experiences. You'll be part of a supportive, resilient team that values creativity, development, and having fun at work.

What you'll get :

• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Company Pension Scheme
• Life assurance
• Thorough training and ongoing development
• A positive, empowering culture where your growth matters

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.