Sous Chef

Aramark; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniform

Safety shoes

Employee Benefits app

Life assurance

Pension contributions

Holiday allowance

Career development

Apprenticeship schemes

Ongoing training

Job summary

Aramark UK is seeking a passionate Sous Chef to join our team on a high-volume contract catering project in Bedford. You will lead the brigade, support the Head Chef, and ensure dishes are exceptional.

This full-time role (40 hours per week) offers opportunities for growth, ongoing training, and a healthy work-life balance within a global leader in contract catering.

Qualifications

• UK residency for the past 3 years and legal right to work.
• Ability to pass full security vetting and DBS checks.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
• Proven supervisory chef experience in a high-volume catering environment.
• Experience leading teams and food cost controls.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and allergen management.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead food production activities to ensure meals are prepared to specification, on time, and to the highest quality standards.
• Ensure recipe adherence, portion control, and presentation; assist with menu development, costing and implementation.
• Monitor food quality and customer satisfaction, taking corrective action where necessary.
• Supervise, coach and develop kitchen teams including Chefs and Catering Assistants.
• Ensure effective deployment of labour resources to meet operational demands.
• Support recruitment, induction, and training activities.
• Deliver on-the-job coaching to improve culinary skills and operational performance.
• Ensure full compliance with Food Safety legislation, HACCP, allergen controls, and Aramark standards.
• Maintain accurate food safety records including temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules, and corrective actions.
• Conduct routine food safety and workplace inspections.
• Assist with stock management, ordering, and inventory control.
• Minimise food waste through effective production planning and stock rotation.
• Monitor food and labour costs to ensure budgetary targets are achieved.

Skills

Supervisory chef experience

Food safety knowledge

Team leadership

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Job Location (Short): Bedfordshire, NTH, GB

Information at a Glance

Reach for Remarkable

Sous Chef – Cook Up Your Next Career Move!

Location: Bedford, MK43 9NR
Annual salary: £35,000
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent, 40 hours per week, 5 days over 7
Shift times: 0700 until 1530

Ready to take your culinary career to the next level? We’re looking for a passionate Sous Chef to join our talented team supporting one of the UK's largest construction projects in Bedford. With a high-volume kitchen and a vibrant service to deliver, you’ll play a key role in leading the brigade, supporting the Head Chef, and ensuring every dish is exceptional.

This isn’t just a job—it’s your chance to grow with a global leader in contract catering while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.

Why join us?

• Free uniform and safety shoes.
• Access to our Employee Benefits app – online GP access, supermarket discounts, and more.
• Life assurance, pension contributions, and generous holiday allowance (with the option to buy more).
• Career development, promotion opportunities, and apprenticeship schemes.
• Ongoing training to help you grow and thrive.

What you'll do:

• Culinary Operations
  • Lead food production activities to ensure meals are prepared to specification, on time, and to the highest quality standards.
  • Ensure consistency in recipe adherence, portion control and presentation. Assist with menu development, costing and implementation.
  • Monitor food quality and customer satisfaction, taking corrective action where necessary.
• People Management
  • Supervise, coach and develop kitchen teams including Chefs, Catering Assistants and
  • Ensure effective deployment of labour resources to meet operational demands.
  • Support recruitment, induction, and training activities.
  • Deliver on-the-job coaching to improve culinary skills and operational performance.
• Food Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure full compliance with Food Safety legislation, HACCP procedures, allergen controls, and Aramark standards.
  • Maintain accurate food safety records including temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules, and corrective actions.
  • Conduct routine food safety and workplace inspections.
• Stock & Financial Control
  • Assist with stock management, ordering, receiving, and inventory control.
  • Minimise food waste through effective production planning and stock rotation.
  • Monitor food and labour costs to ensure budgetary targets are achieved.

What we’re looking for:

• UK residency for the past 3 years and legal right to work.
• Ability to pass full security vetting and DBS checks.
• Essential Criteria
  • Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
  • Proven experience in a supervisory chef role within a high-volume catering environment.
  • Experience leading teams
  • Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and allergen management.
  • Experience managing stock, ordering, and food cost controls.
  • Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Desirable Criteria
  • Experience within custodial, healthcare, education, defence or business and industry catering environments.
  • IOSH Working Safely or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
  • Experience delivering training and coaching programmes.
  • Knowledge of budget management and labour scheduling.

About Aramark UK

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident and Forces Friendly employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail].

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application.

Job reference: 677651.