Lead Chef for Military Catering – Hands-on Leader

Sodexo Group; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health & wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Discounts for you & family

Retirement plan

Job summary

Sodexo Group in Colchester, at Merville Barracks, is seeking a Head Chef to lead a high-quality catering operation within a busy military environment. This hands-on leadership role requires managing daily kitchen operations, developing the team and maintaining food quality, safety and service standards.

You will plan menus, monitor costs and compliance, and work closely with the Centre Manager to ensure contractual service standards are achieved while delivering excellent client and customer

Qualifications

• Recognised catering qualification such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 2, NVQ levels 2 and 3, HND or BSc Catering.
• Intermediate level Food Safety qualification.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety requirements.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiar with Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Flexible approach for a busy operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day catering operation with high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Motivate and develop the kitchen team for high performance.
• Coach Chefs, military Chefs and Kitchen Porters with clear direction.
• Plan and manage rotas, leave and staffing to resource the kitchen.
• Ensure recipes, specifications and portion controls are followed.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking and presentation.
• Maintain compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety and Sodexo procedures.
• Complete kitchen due diligence, temperature monitoring, storage and safety documentation.
• Drive audit performance and address required actions.
• Manage stock ordering, stocktaking and waste control.
• Monitor consumption and costs; identify efficiency improvements.
• Contribute to financial performance including payroll, stock, waste and P&L.
• Build relationships with client and customers and respond to feedback.
• Meet contractual service standards, KPIs and operational requirements.
• Lead pre-service briefings, team huddles and toolbox talks.
• Identify opportunities to improve service and kitchen performance.
• Collaborate with Centre Manager and Food Services Manager.
• Be a visible hands-on leader setting the standard for quality and safety.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team management

Menu planning

Food safety

Cost control

Staff coaching

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Catering qualification (City & Guilds 706/1&2, NVQ 2/3, HND, BSc Catering)

Job description

Sodexo Group in Colchester, at Merville Barracks, is seeking a Head Chef to lead a high-quality catering operation within a busy military environment. This hands-on leadership role requires managing daily kitchen operations, developing the team and maintaining food quality, safety and service standards.

You will plan menus, monitor costs and compliance, and work closely with the Centre Manager to ensure contractual service standards are achieved while delivering excellent client and customer