Head Chef & Unit Catering Manager

Jewish Care; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Care in Greater London is seeking a Unit Catering Manager who will oversee dining for residents. This role blends hands-on cooking (80%) with operational management (20%), leading a small team to deliver nutritious, seasonal menus aligned with Jewish dietary practices and delivering exceptional service.

The post involves 5 days out of 7 with some weekend rota work and shifts from 6:00-14:30 or 11:00-19:30. The ideal candidate has formal catering qualifications and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef with catering operation management.
• Essential knowledge of dietary needs and food safety.
• Strong budgeting and cost-control abilities.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Management: prepare, cook and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs and preferences.
• Menu development and recipe management using standard systems.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
• Client-Facing: engage with residents and families to understand dietary requirements and ensure satisfaction.
• Operational Management: oversee day-to-day catering operations, EPOS and stock control.
• Team Leadership: mentor, schedule and develop the catering team.
• Financial Management: monitor budget and perform regular financial reporting.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Excellent communication

Client-facing skills

IT literacy

Team leadership

Budget management

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields

City & Guilds 706 1/2 or equivalent

Tools

EPOS systems

Future Workforce Management System

Inventory management software

Job description

Jewish Care in Greater London is seeking a Unit Catering Manager who will oversee dining for residents. This role blends hands-on cooking (80%) with operational management (20%), leading a small team to deliver nutritious, seasonal menus aligned with Jewish dietary practices and delivering exceptional service.

The post involves 5 days out of 7 with some weekend rota work and shifts from 6:00-14:30 or 11:00-19:30. The ideal candidate has formal catering qualifications and strong leadership skills.