Head Chef- The Vox NEC

Chartwells Independent; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on duty

Annual leave

Pension

Career development

Job summary

Levy UK & Ireland at The Vox NEC in Birmingham is seeking a Head Chef to lead the culinary strategy and day-to-day kitchen operations across conferences, events, banqueting and hospitality. You will partner with the Executive Chef to deliver creative, sustainable menus, champion seasonal produce, manage food costs, and develop a high-performing team while maintaining exceptional standards.

If you have a proven track record in high-volume settings and a passion for memorable food experiences,

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading high-volume kitchens.
• Ability to develop creative, seasonal menus.
• Strong focus on sustainability and waste reduction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Deliver exciting, restaurant-quality menus for events and conferences.
• Manage food costs, purchasing and supplier relationships.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and allergen management across the kitchen.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef, sales and events teams to realise concepts.

Skills

Head Chef experience

High-volume events

Sustainability mindset

Team leadership

Food cost control

Creative flair

Job description

Head Chef | The Vox NEC | £41k | Full Time | PermanentBring your creativity to the table.

This isn’t your typical conference and events kitchen.

As Head Chef at The Vox at the NEC, you’ll have the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the food experience at one of the UK’s most exciting and prestigious conference and events destinations.

Working closely alongside our Executive Chef, you’ll help bring the culinary vision to life – creating exciting, innovative and memorable food experiences across conferences, events, banqueting and hospitality.

We’re looking for a chef who sees food as more than just fuel – someone who loves creating, experimenting and pushing boundaries, and who gets genuinely excited about putting incredible food in front of thousands of guests.

From beautifully crafted dishes and restaurant-quality dining to ambitious banqueting and large-scale events, you’ll have the opportunity to get creative and put your own stamp on the food offering.

And sustainability is at the heart of it. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about championing seasonal, local and responsibly sourced ingredients, reducing waste and finding smarter, more sustainable ways to deliver exceptional food at scale.

This is a role where you can work alongside an experienced Executive Chef, inspire a talented team and help shape what great event catering looks like.

What you’ll be doing

As Head Chef, you’ll work closely with the Executive Chef to deliver the culinary strategy across The Vox and ICC, taking responsibility for the day-to-day kitchen operation and ensuring every event delivers exceptional food.

You’ll:

• Work alongside the Executive Chef to develop and deliver an exciting culinary vision across The Vox and ICC.

• Develop and deliver creative, seasonal and innovative menus that excite guests and respond to changing food trends and expectations.

• Put sustainability at the heart of your menus – championing local and seasonal produce, responsible sourcing, plant-forward dishes and creative ways to reduce food waste.

• Bring restaurant-quality thinking to large‑scale event catering, proving that volume and exceptional food can absolutely go hand in hand.

• Work closely with the Executive Chef, sales and events teams to bring ambitious food concepts and guest experiences to life.

• Lead, inspire and develop a high‑performing kitchen team, creating a culture where people are encouraged to learn, experiment and be proud of what they produce.

• Take ownership of the day‑to‑day preparation, presentation and delivery of food to consistently exceptional standards.

• Support the Executive Chef with food cost control, purchasing and commercial performance, finding creative ways to deliver outstanding food while working within budget.

• Build strong relationships with suppliers and seek out exciting new products, ingredients and ideas.

• Continuously explore new techniques, trends and concepts that keep our food offering fresh, relevant and exciting.

• Ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, allergen management and compliance are maintained across the kitchen.

• Lead by example, creating an environment where quality, creativity and attention to detail are part of everyday life.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a creative culinary leader, not just someone who can run a kitchen.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef ready for the next step, or senior culinary leader, ideally within a high‑volume events, hospitality, hotel or restaurant environment.

• A genuine passion for food and an appetite to create something different.

• A strong creative flair and confidence developing food that excites guests and challenges the traditional expectations of event catering.

• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team, with the ability to bring people with you and create a positive, ambitious kitchen culture.

• A commercial mindset, with experience managing food costs, budgets, purchasing and stock without compromising on quality.

• A genuine commitment to sustainability and a desire to make a positive difference through the food you create.

• Knowledge of current culinary trends, techniques and the evolving expectations of today's guests.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to stay calm, creative and in control when delivering large‑scale events.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with the Executive Chef, sales, events and operational teams.

• A flexible approach – events don't always happen 9–5, so you'll need to be comfortable working evenings and weekends when required.

• Most importantly, a real love of food and the ambition to make people remember what they ate.

We are Levy

We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues and major events – including Wimbledon, Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London – we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is succeed the right way.

From pioneering technology and seamless operations to show‑stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand our guests, improve the customer journey, reduce our environmental impact and support local communities.

And food is a huge part of that.

We’re passionate about creating brilliant food in a way that is better for our people and our planet – from how we source our ingredients to how we design our menus and reduce waste.

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary of £41,000 and full company benefits

• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off and a holiday purchase scheme

• Healthcare & wellbeing support including Aviva Digicare and Medicash

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

• Shopping, entertainment and travel discounts

• 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off Pure Gym memberships

• Pension scheme and Life Assurance

• Preferred rates on salary finance products

• Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career development

• Meals on duty

Why The Vox?

The Vox isn't about doing things the way they've always been done.

It's a venue where big ideas, big events and big food experiences come together.

You'll have the scale of the NEC behind you, the creativity of Levy around you and the opportunity to work alongside an experienced Executive Chef to influence and elevate the food offering at one of the UK's leading conference and events destinations.

If you're a chef who wants creative freedom, a serious platform and the opportunity to make a real difference through food, we'd love to hear from you.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Job Reference: com/2307/43425001/52822014/SU
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