Men's First Team Head Chef

Manchester United; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An iconic football club seeks a passionate Men's Team Head Chef to elevate culinary standards for elite athletes. The role involves preparing high-quality, nutritious meals, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and leading a kitchen team to deliver excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of a global football brand while working in a dynamic and collaborative environment. If you are driven by a passion for food and sports, this role is perfect for you, allowing you to make a significant impact on the team's performance and well-being.

Benefits

Performance-based Annual Bonus

Wellness Support

Exclusive Discounts

Gym Facilities

Enhanced Family Leave Benefits

Complimentary Lunch & Parking

Enhanced Career Development

Supportive Work Environment

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in high-level culinary roles, ideally in hospitality or sports.
• Possession of Level 4 Food Hygiene and Level 3 Health and Safety certifications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food production and ensure high-quality standards.
• Collaborate on menu development tailored for elite athletes.

Skills

Culinary Skills

Food Hygiene

Nutrition Knowledge

Leadership

Problem Solving

Education

Level 4 Food Hygiene Certificate

Level 3 Health and Safety Certification

Job description

Men’s First Team Head Chef
Location: Carrington Training Ground

At Manchester United, we believe that excellence on the pitch starts with excellence off the pitch. Our team thrives in a high-performance environment, united by a shared passion for success. We aim to elevate the standard of performance through collaboration and continuous growth, creating a space where everyone can contribute their best to our common goals.
We work together at our iconic Manchester United offices, enabling connection and innovation as we look ahead to what we can achieve as a global football club. We are excited to bring in passionate individuals who share our vision and drive for success.

Our Culture & Values
Here at Manchester United, we place great emphasis on a culture of connection, respect, and teamwork. We expect our colleagues to be champions of growth—constantly evolving, pushing boundaries, and collaborating across all areas of the business to keep us at the top of our game.
Before applying, take a moment to reflect on our Manchester United values. If you’re driven by the pursuit of excellence, passionate about football, and eager to be part of something bigger, we’d love for you to join us.

The Role:
We are looking for a passionate Men's Team Head Chef who will play a key role in preparing, producing and delivering a high-quality nutritional food offering in various venues (predominately based at the training ground) as and when required. In line with all legislative and company food, health and safety policies, maintaining high standards of personnel presentation and hygiene, and will travel (as required) with the men’s First team to any domestic or international football fixtures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Food Production: Supervise the preparation, cooking, and presentation of food across all designated areas within the company, ensuring excellence in quality and efficiency.
• Adhere to Specifications: Consistently prepare food in accordance with detailed specification sheets, maintaining consistency and quality in every dish.
• Collaborate on Menu Development: Partner with the nutritionist, kitchen manager, and Executive Head Chef to design and develop nutritious, performance-focused menus and dishes tailored to player needs, both at home and during travel.
• Support Kitchen Operations: Work closely with the kitchen team to ensure the seamless operation of all culinary activities, addressing challenges proactively.
• Uphold Presentation Standards: Guarantee that all food production and presentation adhere to the highest standards, aligning with the company’s reputation for excellence.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Complete daily operational paperwork accurately and support the Food Safety Manager in achieving full compliance with Health and Safety regulations.
• Maintain Hygiene Standards: Uphold exemplary personal hygiene and always ensure the consistent use of clean uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Demonstrate Independence: Operate effectively and independently with minimal supervision, showcasing initiative and accountability.
• Champion Club Values: Embrace and promote Manchester United’s Vision and Values while adhering to company policies, Health and Safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure Cleanliness: Maintain a pristine working environment throughout all stages of food production, delivery, and service.
• Adapt to Business Needs: Undertake additional duties as reasonably assigned by the company to support its overall objectives and success.

The Person:

• Demonstrated success and extensive experience in high-level culinary roles, ideally within the hospitality, sports, or business sectors, showcasing an ability to meet the demands of a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Possession of a Level 4 Food Hygiene Certificate, ensuring thorough understanding and application of best practices in food safety and sanitation.
• Certified at Level 3 in Health and Safety, with a solid understanding of compliance, risk management, and maintaining a safe working environment for all staff.
• Holder of a full, valid passport, with the readiness and ability to travel internationally as required to support the team's operations and events.
• Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of nutrition, dietary requirements, and performance-driven menu development tailored to elite athletes.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop a kitchen team, ensuring collaboration, efficiency, and a commitment to excellence.
• Strong problem-solving skills and flexibility to respond to evolving team needs, schedules, and environments, both on and off-site.
• Meticulous approach to quality control, presentation, and adherence to dietary and nutritional guidelines.
• Passion for delivering world-class service, aligning with the prestige and standards of a global football club.

What We Offer:

• Performance-based Annual Bonus to reward your dedication and hard work.
• Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace.
• Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners.
• Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities.
• Enhanced Family Leave Benefits and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days.
• Complimentary Lunch & Parking at our onsite office locations and supplementary offers for our London office.
• Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs.
• A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth.

Our Commitment to You:
At Manchester United, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our recruitment strategy, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Ready to Join Us?
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, please submit your application by Monday 13th January 2025.

Manchester United is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and as part of this commitment, all candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and reference checks.
If you need any adjustments to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles. Your personal data will be processed on MU’s behalf by Korn Ferry.