Primary School Chef Manager - London

Chartwells Independent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 hour weeks

Term time only

Pension scheme

Career development

Digital GP access

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Food discounts

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness classes

Job summary

Chartwells Independent, part of Compass Group UK&I, is seeking an experienced Catering Manager for a school environment in London. You will lead a small team, ensure food quality and service, and manage purchasing, stock and labour costs to meet targets.

We value strong leadership, financial awareness, and a customer-focused approach. The role requires a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate and solid IT skills; term-time working with 42.6 weeks per year.

Qualifications

• Strong chef skills and catering management experience.
• Minimum two years in catering management.
• Ability to lead a small team and drive results.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Customer-focused approach and relationship building.
• Hold a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Knowledge of allergens and safe kitchen practices.
• Good IT skills and confidence using catering systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day catering operations to high standards of food quality and service.
• Lead, motivate and develop a small catering team.
• Prepare, cook and serve fresh meals to spec and standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety, and policies.
• Manage food purchasing, stock, and labour costs to meet targets.
• Build positive relationships with school, pupils, staff and visitors.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised kitchen.
• Drive continuous improvement and customer satisfaction across catering.

Skills

Strong chef skills

Catering management

Two years catering

Team leadership

Financial awareness

Organisational skills

Customer focus

Food hygiene Level 2

Allergens knowledge

IT skills (MS Office)

Prioritisation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Catering systems

Job description

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Monday to Friday
• 35 hour weeks
• Term time only (42.6 weeks per year)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Please note: This role is contracted to 42.6 weeks per year

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing the day-to-day catering operation, ensuring the highest standards of food quality and customer service.
• Leading, motivating and developing a small catering team to deliver exceptional results.
• Preparing, cooking and serving fresh, nutritious meals to agreed specifications and standards.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, health & safety and company policies.
• Managing food purchasing, stock control and labour costs to achieve financial targets.
• Building positive relationships with the school, pupils, staff and visitors.
• Maintaining a clean, safe and organised kitchen environment.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and customer satisfaction across the catering service.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Strong chef skills with a genuine passion for fresh food.
• Previous experience managing a successful catering operation in a similar environment.
• At least two years' catering management experience.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing a small team.
• Excellent financial and commercial awareness.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A customer-focused approach with the ability to build lasting relationships.
• A Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 minimum).
• Knowledge of allergens
• Good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office and catering systems.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards.

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children's Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Job Reference: com/1409/44274001/52806768/R/SU #State Schools

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!