Relief Chef Manager — Flexible Coverage & Leadership

Baxterstorey; Luton, Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Birthday leave

Volunteer days

Pension and life insurance

Free meals on shift

Wellbeing hub

Cycle to work

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

BaxterStorey is seeking an experienced Relief Chef Manager to provide flexible cover across our catering operations in the Luton and Milton Keynes area. You will support site teams and uphold our standards for exceptional food and service, while ensuring operational excellence.

The role offers hands-on kitchen leadership, a competitive salary of £36,500, regular hours with occasional weekend or night shifts, and a culture that values development, equality, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Proven culinary expertise with strong food preparation and cooking skills.
• Demonstrated experience in team supervision and kitchen management.
• Sound knowledge of food safety regulations and environmental legislation compliance.
• Experience with inventory management, budget monitoring, and cost control.
• Strong organisational and time-keeping abilities.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
• Problem-solving capabilities and decisive decision-making.
• Flexibility and resilience to adapt to varying operational demands.
• Customer-focused mindset with commitment to service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day catering operations and supervise kitchen teams to ensure smooth service delivery.
• Prepare and cook high-quality meals in accordance with established recipes, dietary requirements, and presentation standards.
• Plan and develop menus that are diverse, appealing, and aligned with organisational objectives.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, health, and hygiene standards in compliance with environmental legislation and procedures.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels, control food costs, and implement budget-conscious practices.
• Conduct staff induction, training, and development to foster a skilled and motivated team.
• Implement quality assurance measures and take decisive action to address any operational issues.
• Collaborate with colleagues and communicate effectively to ensure seamless handovers and continuity of service.
• Exceed customer expectations consistently by delivering excellent food and service.
• Analyse performance data and implement action plans to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain detailed records and documentation as required by organisational policies.
• Demonstrate flexibility and resilience when adapting to different site requirements and team dynamics.

Skills

Culinary expertise

Team supervision

Food safety knowledge

Inventory management

Organisational skills

People skills

Problem solving

Flexibility

Customer service orientation

Education

Food Safety Level 3

Culinary qualification

Job description

BaxterStorey is seeking an experienced Relief Chef Manager to provide flexible cover across our catering operations in the Luton and Milton Keynes area. You will support site teams and uphold our standards for exceptional food and service, while ensuring operational excellence.

The role offers hands-on kitchen leadership, a competitive salary of £36,500, regular hours with occasional weekend or night shifts, and a culture that values development, equality, and inclusion.