Lead Hospital Chef — Patient Dining & Ops

Sodexo; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform Provided

Blue Light Card

Sodexo Benefits

Mental health & wellbeing support

Job summary

Sodexo is recruiting a Chef Manager to lead patient dining operations across multiple kitchen environments in Manchester. You will oversee daily service, ensure high-quality meals, and manage a team of chefs, supervisors and porters, while adhering to food safety standards and dietary requirements.

You'll work closely with dietitians and clinical teams to tailor meals to patient needs, including special diets and textures.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading high-volume catering teams.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and compliance.
• Experience managing special diets and allergen requirements.
• Excellent leadership and people management.
• Strong communication with clinical teams and stakeholders.
• Organisational and planning skills for stock control.
• NVQ2 or equivalent and Level 3 Food Safety; NHS experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead catering ops across Diet Bay and Yardbird/Kitchenworks kitchens.
• Manage chefs, supervisors, and porters; drive performance.
• Ensure safe production and delivery of meals including special diets.
• Work with dietitians, ward teams, patients on nutrition requirements.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, and health & safety compliance.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and inventory for two kitchens.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and service per SLAs.
• Build relationships with clinical/operational stakeholders to improve service.

Skills

Catering leadership

High-volume operations

Food safety knowledge

Dietary/allergen management

Leadership & people mgmt

Stock control & ordering

Communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent)

Level 3 Food Safety

Job description

Sodexo is recruiting a Chef Manager to lead patient dining operations across multiple kitchen environments in Manchester. You will oversee daily service, ensure high-quality meals, and manage a team of chefs, supervisors and porters, while adhering to food safety standards and dietary requirements.

You'll work closely with dietitians and clinical teams to tailor meals to patient needs, including special diets and textures.