Mobile Cook Manager

Sodexo; Ilford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Retention bonus

Term-time contract

Uniform provided

Employee benefits

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an experienced Cook/Chef to lead school catering across multiple sites in the Kent and South East London area. You will oversee production of fresh meals for 100–1,300 pupils, manage stock, and drive menus while maintaining high standards of food quality and customer service.

The role requires driving between sites, a passion for food, and ability to lead by example. NVQ2 or equivalent and Level 2 Food Safety Certificate are required; on-site, term-time schedule with 35

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for day-to-day running of school catering across sites.
• Lead, motivate and support kitchen teams to deliver excellent service.
• Produce fresh, high-quality meals at scale and manage stock and orders.
• Monitor costs to ensure budgets are met and menus meet pupil needs.
• Carry out kitchen audits and ensure food safety procedures are followed.

Skills

Large-scale cooking

Team leadership

Food safety knowledge

Full UK driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Job description

Join Sodexo and become part of a supportive team where your skills are valued, your contribution matters and you have the opportunity to make a real difference.

What you do:

Taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of school catering operations across different sites. Leading, motivating and supporting kitchen teams to deliver excellent service. Preparing and overseeing the production of fresh, high-quality meals on a large scale. Managing food ordering, replenishment, stock control and kitchen resources. Monitoring labour, food and operational costs to ensure budgets are maintained. Creating and developing menus that meet the needs of pupils and school staff. Ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and customer service. Carrying out regular kitchen audits and ensuring all food hygiene, health and safety procedures are followed. Supporting and training colleagues, helping them develop their skills and confidence.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about food, confident in the kitchen and enjoys leading and supporting a team. You'll ideally have: A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle (essential, as travel between school sites is required). Experience cooking on a large scale, ideally catering for between 100 and 1,300 pupils. Previous experience working as a Cook, Chef, Cook Manager or in a similar catering environment. Experience supervising, managing or supporting a kitchen team. Experience working with fresh ingredients and produce. Good knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety procedures. The ability to work independently, manage your time effectively and adapt to different kitchen environments. A positive attitude, professional approach and the ability to lead by example. Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 or equivalent. Level 2 Food Safety Certificate. Don't have all the qualifications? If you have at least one year's hands‑on cooking experience, we can provide training in Food Hygiene and Health & Safety.

£16.00 per hour | 35 hours per week | Monday‑Friday | Term Time Only Working hours: 7:30am-2:30pm Areas covered: Kent, South East London, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge and Ashford. Love cooking? Ready for a role that offers a better work‑life balance? And the best part? Enjoy a great work‑life balance! Monday to Friday working - no weekends! 7:30am-2:30pm working hours. School holidays off. Christmas and public holidays off. 35 hours per week. Term‑time contract, with pay spread evenly over 12 months. Mileage expenses reimbursed., Alongside a competitive hourly rate, you'll benefit from: Pay and rewards £16.00 per hour. 35 hours per week. Mileage reimbursement: £0.45 per mile for the first 10,000 miles and £0.25 per mile thereafter. £200 retention bonus upon successful completion of your 12-week probation. A further £300 retention bonus after 52 weeks of service. All eligible business travel expenses reimbursed. Work‑life balance Monday to Friday working. 7:30am-2:30pm. Term‑time only (39 working weeks per year). Pay spread evenly over 52 weeks, meaning you'll receive a consistent monthly salary throughout the year. School holidays and public holidays off, including Christmas! Additional benefits Employee Assistance Programme, including access to financial and legal advice. 24‑hour virtual GP access and health and wellbeing support. Sodexo Discounts Scheme, with savings for you, friends and family. Access to the Salary Finance Platform. Sodexo Retirement Plan. Death in Service benefit. Cycle to Work Scheme. Career development, training and progression opportunities. Full protective uniform provided. Your next opportunity starts here! If you're an experienced Cook or Chef who enjoys leading a team, loves working with fresh food and wants a role that offers genuine work‑life balance, we'd love to hear from you. Bring your passion for food, your leadership skills and your enthusiasm to Sodexo.

Sodexo and its clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre‑employment screening, including references and DBS checks where applicable. Equated pay: Your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay are spread over 12 months, meaning you receive equal monthly payments throughout the year, including during school closure periods.

Why Sodexo? "A role where you can bring your passion for food"

• £16.00 Per Hour (mileage expenses: first 10.000 miles per miles 0.45pence miles, after it will be 0.25 pence per mile)
• 35 hours per week
• Working pattern: Monday - Friday, 7.30am - 2.30pm
• Term Time only (39 week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks)
• This position requires and Driving Licence and access to a vehicle, ALL TRAVEL EXPENSES ARE REIMBURSED Retention BONUS for all attached mobile roles - £200 on successful completion of 12 week probation, further £300 after 52 weeks comple
• Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.