Retail Sous Chef - The O2 Arena

Levy; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Wellbeing support

23 days leave

Life assurance

Meals on duty

Pension

Employee discounts

Job summary

Levy UK & Ireland at The O2 Arena in London is seeking a Retail Sous Chef to lead the planning, development and execution of high-quality retail menus. You will supervise food prep, manage costs and support the culinary team to deliver excellent guest experiences.

With at least five years in catering, you’ll drive seasonal, sustainable dining while maintaining Levy standards and safety compliance. The role offers a competitive salary plus comprehensive benefits and career development

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ catering experience, ideally within a similar role or fast-paced food service environment.
• Desirable catering qualifications (NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 & 2) and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Proven experience leading, managing and developing successful teams, with the ability to coach others and hold them accountable.
• Strong knowledge of food production, preparation methods, purchasing and general kitchen operations.
• Excellent financial and commercial awareness, with the ability to manage costs, drive profitability and achieve business results.
• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective client relationships and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Responsibilities

• Supervise food preparation, cooking and service, ensuring consistent quality, presentation, portion control and customer choice.
• Maintain high food hygiene standards and ensure all food is prepared, stored and served safely and correctly.
• Manage food costs, purchasing, GP and stock levels, ensuring budgets are achieved and wastage is minimised.
• Support menu planning and food development, focusing on seasonal, sustainable and cost-effective ingredients.
• Manage labour costs and schedules, minimising agency and overtime spend while ensuring staffing meets business demands.
• Implement company promotions, maintain well-stocked retail areas and identify opportunities to drive sales.
• Deliver excellent customer service, responding to requests, providing allergen information and acting on customer feedback.
• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies, completing training, risk assessments and relevant records.
• Support, train, coach and develop kitchen teams, monitoring recruitment, retention and succession planning.
• Maintain Levy UK standards, SOPs and sustainability goals, ensuring all cleaning schedules, stock takes and operational paperwork are completed accurately.

Skills

Team leadership

Cost control

Food knowledge

Customer service

Communication

Education

NVQ Level 1 & 2

City & Guilds 706/1 & 2

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Tools

Food safety systems

Job description

Retail Sous Chef - The O2 Arena, London, SE10 | Full-Time / Permanent

£44125 + 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 Retail Sous Chef to support the planning and development of recipe specifications across Levy UK Retail within the O2 Arena, while assisting the Retail Head Chef in managing the culinary team and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality food and service. Maintain Levy standards, comply with food safety and statutory regulations, and promote efficient, economical and sustainable kitchen operations.

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 Sous Chef - The Role

• Supervise food preparation, cooking and service, ensuring consistent quality, presentation, portion control and customer choice.
• Maintain high food hygiene standards and ensure all food is prepared, stored and served safely and correctly.
• Manage food costs, purchasing, GP and stock levels, ensuring budgets are achieved and wastage is minimised.
• Support menu planning and food development, focusing on seasonal, sustainable and cost-effective ingredients.
• Manage labour costs and schedules, minimising agency and overtime spend while ensuring staffing meets business demands.
• Implement company promotions, maintain well-stocked retail areas and identify opportunities to drive sales.
• Deliver excellent customer service, responding to requests, providing allergen information and acting on customer feedback.
• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies, completing training, risk assessments and relevant records.
• Support, train, coach and develop kitchen teams, monitoring recruitment, retention and succession planning.
• Maintain Levy UK standards, SOPs and sustainability goals, ensuring all cleaning schedules, stock takes and operational paperwork are completed accurately.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 5 years’ catering experience, ideally within a similar role or fast-paced food service environment.
• Desired catering qualifications (NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 & 2) and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Proven experience leading, managing and developing successful teams, with the ability to coach others and hold them accountable.
• Strong knowledge of food production, preparation methods, purchasing and general kitchen operations.
• Excellent financial and commercial awareness, with the ability to manage costs, drive profitability and achieve business results.
• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective client relationships and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
• Adaptable, self-motivated and innovative, able to lead change, respond to business needs and encourage others to embrace new ideas.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the confidence to address challenges, identify talent and maintain high standards under pressure.

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/0806/72489001/52812416/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!