Retail Head Chef - The O2

Compass Group UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare & wellbeing

23 days annual leave + bank holidays

Meals on duty

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Job summary

Levy UK at The O2, London, is seeking a Retail Head Chef to lead and develop our retail kitchens. You will work with the Executive Head Chef to maintain high food quality, standards and safety across the operation.

The role focuses on managing the kitchen team, controlling costs, delivering excellent customer service and driving continuous improvement in menus and sustainability within a busy venue environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ catering experience, with knowledge of food production, purchasing and kitchen operations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a small kitchen team in a similar environment.
• Strong cooking knowledge and understanding of production methods and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high food quality and presentation to required standards.
• Manage food costs, wastage, storage and purchasing within budget.
• Lead and support the kitchen team, providing guidance and development.
• Plan staffing levels around sales and manage labour costs.
• Deliver excellent customer service and respond to feedback.
• Support menus and food development with costed products.
• Maintain health and safety and hygiene standards.
• Manage stock, wastage records and documentation.
• Drive business standards to meet Levy UK SOPs and sustainability goals.
• Support continuous improvement and opportunities for growth.

Skills

Catering experience

Leadership

Chef skills

Communication

Customer focus

Commercial awareness

Results driven

Adaptable

Strategic leadership

Job description

Retail Head Chef - The o2, London, SE10 | Full-Time / Permanent

£56650 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We're looking for...

The role involves supporting the organisation and management of Levy UK’s retail kitchens, ensuring consistent recipe and food standards across the business. Working alongside the Executive Head Chef, the position helps manage the kitchen team and day-to-day operations, ensuring food is prepared, cooked and served to a high standard while meeting company, contract, food safety and legal requirements.

We are Levy

We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world?s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events ? from Wimbledon and Twickenham to 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

• Maintain high food quality – Ensure food is prepared, cooked and presented to the required standards, with good taste, appearance and portion control.

• Manage food costs and minimise waste – Control portions, storage, purchasing and wastage to keep food costs within budget and support Levy’s sustainability goals.

• Lead and support the kitchen team – Coordinate junior team members, provide guidance and ensure staff are trained, supported and developed.

• Manage labour effectively – Plan staffing levels around sales, control overtime and agency costs, and ensure labour budgets are achieved.

• Deliver excellent customer service – Respond to customer requests professionally, understand feedback and ensure customer expectations are consistently met.

• Support menus and food development – Help plan seasonal and sustainable menus, ensure products are correctly costed and meet financial and customer requirements.

• Maintain health, safety and hygiene standards – Ensure all legal, company and food hygiene requirements are followed and that the team works safely.

• Manage stock and paperwork – Complete accurate weekly stock takes, wastage records, cleaning schedules, risk assessments and other required documentation.

• Drive business and operational standards – Ensure catering services, promotions and retail areas consistently meet Levy UK standards, SOPs and sustainability goals.

• Support continuous improvement and business success – Communicate company targets, identify new opportunities, monitor performance and contribute to succession planning and the overall development of the business.

What we're looking for

• Strong catering experience – Minimum 5 years’ catering experience, with good knowledge of food production, purchasing and kitchen operations.

• Leadership experience – Proven ability to successfully lead, manage and develop a small team in a similar environment.

• Strong chef and food skills – Good cooking knowledge and understanding of food preparation, production methods and procedures.

• Excellent communication – Able to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, customers, clients and diverse teams.

• Customer focused – Listens to customer needs, responds effectively and works to deliver positive customer experiences.

• Commercially aware – Understands budgets, purchasing, food costs and profitability, with strong financial and commercial awareness.

• Results driven – Takes ownership, focuses on achieving targets and holds themselves and others accountable for performance.

• Adaptable and innovative – Comfortable working in a changing environment, embraces new ideas and helps others adapt to change.
• Strong strategic leadership – Identifies talent, addresses underlying issues, makes confident decisions and remains focused on what is important.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with bonus 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: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 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 PureGym 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.

Job Reference: com/2809/72489001/52836358/SU #Levy UK

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!