Retail Head Chef - NEC Birmingham

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Birmingham seeks a passionate Retail Head Chef to lead culinary operations at the UK’s largest event space. Responsibilities include managing a high-volume kitchen, ensuring health & safety standards, and overseeing kitchen staff. The position offers £35,000 salary plus excellent benefits, including healthcare, annual leave, and personal development opportunities. Join a dynamic team focused on creating unforgettable guest experiences.

Benefits

Healthcare & wellbeing support

23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

Life Assurance

Meals on duty

Financial wellbeing benefits

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience managing a high-volume kitchen in a retail environment.
• Ability to think on your feet and adapt to challenges.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations for large-scale events.
• Manage budgets and stock control.
• Ensure health & safety and food safety standards.

Skills

High-volume kitchen management

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Customer service excellence

Job description

Retail Head Chef - NEC Birmingham | Full-Time / Permanent

£35,000 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We're looking for a passionate Head Chef to join the innovative team at NEC Birmingham - the UK’s largest event space! As Head Chef you will lead retail culinary operations; ensuring kitchens runs safely and efficiently, leading a passionate kitchen team, and enabling us to exceed guest expectations for world-class events, conferences, and exhibitions.

If you have the culinary and leadership skills to manage a high-volume kitchen in a dynamic retail environment, we want to hear from you!

We are Levy

Levy is about elevating experiences. We are a leading global hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest moments that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events – including Wimbledon, Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London – we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Retail Head Chef – The role

• Leading on building efficient and commercially viable labour plans and food and beverage orders for large-scale events using key sales insights
• Managing budgets, labour, and stock control to ensure high-quality and cost-effective menu solutions
• Supporting with continued business improvements and profitability
• Maintaining SOP standards in the operational area
• Leading on delivering all health & safety and food safety standards
• Championing the Levy brand standards and delivering an outstanding guest experience
• Monitoring guest feedback and implementing improvements to enhance overall service level
• Acting as a role model for the team, supporting training and development.
• Acting as duty manager, allocating kitchen duties and responsibilities to all culinary team members and providing on shift support to colleagues.
• Supporting with relevant event and kitchen roles in the business / venues including Support Chef, FPA or Kitchen Assistant.

What we’re looking for

• Experience managing a high-volume kitchen in a retail environment
• Previous experience adhering to safety policies and procedures
• Ability to think on your feet and adapt to whatever challenges arise.
• Has an awareness of commercial drivers
• A keen eye for detail and consistent desire to uphold high standards.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Passion for guest experience and service excellence
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary and full company benefits
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits: 2 days’ additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby’s first birthday, enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off Pure Gym memberships
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included

Why join us?

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.