Lead Chef Retail

Levy Restaurants UK; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering firm in Glasgow is looking for a Lead Chef - Retail to oversee culinary operations at the Scottish Event Campus. This role involves ensuring high-quality food delivery and compliance with safety standards in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will lead kitchen teams, manage operations during events, and foster a culture of excellence. Strong culinary skills and team leadership experience are essential for success in this position.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a culinary leadership role in a high-volume environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety and health standards.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of high-quality food.
• Ensure consistent production according to brand standards.
• Manage kitchen operations during events and peak times.

Skills

Culinary expertise

Team leadership

Operational management

Communication skills

Job description

Lead Chef - Retail

Location: Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow
Company: Levy
Reports to: Head Chef
Salary: £34,000 + Benefits

Role Purpose

The Lead Chef - Retail is responsible for leading the day‑to‑day culinary delivery across Levy's retail food outlets at the SEC. This role ensures consistent food quality, efficient kitchen operations, strong team leadership and full compliance with food safety and health & safety standards in a high‑volume, event‑led environment.

Working closely with the Head Chef and wider operations teams, the Lead Chef will drive performance, standards and engagement across retail kitchens, supporting the delivery of exceptional food experiences at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary & Operational Leadership

• Lead the preparation and delivery of high‑quality food across all retail outlets
• Ensure food is produced consistently to Levy brand standards and specifications
• Manage kitchen operations during live events and peak trading periods
• Drive speed, efficiency and consistency across high‑volume retail service

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, motivate and develop retail kitchen teams, setting clear expectations
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training of new staff
• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
• Foster an environment of safety, hygiene and effective communication
• Maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct
• Facilitate effective communication across the team, ensuring transparent and timely information flow
• Encourage a culture of empowerment, accountability and continuous improvement, while maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct
• Support and maintain the brand experience and culture at each outlet, ensuring a positive guest experience and high levels of satisfaction and visibility for the brand
• Manage key supplier relationships and negotiate terms and pricing to ensure the most cost effective solution in line with procurement needs and budgets while maintaining standards and quality;
• Own the procurement process by coordinating with the local team to ensure necessary items for an event are available and organized effectively at the right store location.