Operations Chef

Gategroup; Crawley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global catering company in Crawley is seeking an Operations Chef to join their culinary team. This role involves preparing high-quality in‑flight meals, managing production shifts, and adhering to food safety standards. The ideal candidate will have chef experience in a high‑volume environment and hold a Basic Food Hygiene certification. This position offers a rotating shift pattern, free meals, and various employee benefits including paid holiday and pension scheme.

Benefits

Complimentary meals

Free parking

Paid holiday

Company sick pay

Pension scheme

Employee support programme

Refer‑a‑friend bonuses

Access to a staff discount platform

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Must have Basic Food Hygiene certification.
• Experience in high‑volume catering or production is required.
• Strong skills in teamwork and communication are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily production shifts.
• Train and guide shift staff, ensuring procedures are followed.
• Prepare and cook food items to approved recipes and specifications.
• Monitor yields and ensure minimal waste.
• Maintain quality production standards across all dishes.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP and safety regulations.

Skills

Basic Food Hygiene certification

Chef experience in high‑volume catering/production

Strong teamwork

Communication

Time‑management

Ability to work under pressure

Self‑motivated

Detail‑focused

Reliable

Job description

Operations Chef – gategroup

£15.99 per hour + overtime | 4 on 2 off | Complimentary meals | Free parking

Join our fast‑paced culinary team and help produce high‑quality in‑flight meals enjoyed by customers around the world. As an Operations Chef, you’ll prepare and cook dishes to exact specifications, manage production shifts, support staff training, and maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and quality standards.

Bring your skills, energy and passion to a fast‑paced kitchen where every dish takes flight.

What life as a Chef with gategroup looks like

• £15.99 per hour + generous overtime benefits
• 4 ON 2 OFF rotating shift pattern (05:00‑13:30, 06:00‑14:30, 12:00‑20:00, 14:00‑22:30)
• Complimentary meals & beverages
• Free uniform provided
• Free on‑site parking
• Paid holiday
• Company sick pay
• Pension scheme from day one
• Employee support programme (including free counselling sessions)
• Refer‑a‑friend bonuses
• Access to a staff discount platform
• Cycle to Work scheme

What you’ll be doing

• Manage daily production shifts
• Train and guide shift staff, ensuring correct procedures are followed
• Prepare and cook food items to approved recipes and specifications
• Monitor yields and ensure minimal waste
• Maintain quality production standards across all dishes
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety and gategroup regulations
• Prepare material lists for designated recipes
• Maintain a clean, safe, and efficient workspace

What you’ll bring to the team

• Basic Food Hygiene certification
• Chef experience in high‑volume catering/production
• Strong teamwork, communication & time‑management
• Ability to work under pressure with accuracy
• Self‑motivated, detail‑focused and reliable

Why join us?

This role offers the chance to contribute to an organisation recognised for its global culinary standards, innovation and commitment to excellence. You’ll work in a creative, fast‑paced environment where your ideas are valued and your culinary expertise helps shape customer experiences worldwide.

Successful candidates must evidence right to work in the UK, undertake a CRC (Criminal Record Check) and provide five years of checkable referencing history.

Ready to take the next step in your culinary career? Apply now and join our global catering team.