Relief Chef Manager - South East

Chartwells; Sevenoaks; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering services provider in the UK seeks a Chef Manager to prepare and oversee high-quality food for educational institutions. Responsibilities include menu changes, customer feedback implementation, team leadership, and maintaining hygiene standards. Experience in catering for large numbers and strong culinary skills are essential. This role supports a rewarding benefits package and promotes a diverse workplace.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Career development programs

Free meals on duty

Contributory pension scheme

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on grocery shopping

Cinema ticket discounts

Wellness classes

Cash rewards on spending

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Chef Manager for large numbers.
• Ability to lead, develop, and inspire a large team.
• Passion for food and customer service is essential.
• Up to date with current food trends.
• Ability to communicate at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality food for clients and customers.
• Oversee menu changes and food services.
• Act on customer feedback.
• Support new menu and food concept creation.
• Maintain kitchen hygiene standards.

Skills

People Skills

Culinary Skills

Organizational Skills

Food Innovation

Customer Service

Financial Understanding

Communication

Quality Driven

Enthusiasm

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:

• Mostly Monday to Friday (occasional weekends)
• Term Time Only
• Free meals on duty
• 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 43 weeks per year

Regional travel required across Kent, Surrey, London and the Home Counties

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
• Overseeing and implementing menu changes
• Identifying opportunities to improve our food services
• Listening and acting on customer feedback to consistently improve our food services
• Supporting with the creation of new menus and creative food concepts
• Representing CH&CO and maintaining a positive brand image
• Monitoring inventories to keep our kitchens well-stocked
• Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards
• Complying with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations

Our Ideal Chef Manager will:

• Proven experience in a role as Chef Manager being able to demonstrate a track record of catering for large numbers but at the same time making the customer feel that their meal has been individually prepared for them.
• Have a ‘big personality’. Great people skills and be able to lead, develop, train and inspire a large team.
• Have a real passion for food and customer service along with bags of enthusiasm and recognising that customer engagement is key.
• Food Innovation and development is essential along with being up to date with current food trends.
• Ability to communicate at all levels.
• Superb culinary skills.
• Good financial understanding.
• High standards and be quality driven.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• A 'Can do' attitude.

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 expects 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.

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!