Sous Chef

Compass Group PLC; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK seeks a passionate Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in delivering high-quality food and ensuring kitchen operations run smoothly. Responsibilities include overseeing kitchen staff, maintaining food safety and quality standards, and managing stock. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills and a deep enthusiasm for culinary arts. Join us for competitive pay, great perks, and opportunities for career growth at one of the UK’s biggest businesses.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes

Quick access to a Digital GP

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Free wellness classes

Share all discounts with friends and family

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of food hygiene and safety standards.
• Ability to supervise and motivate a team of kitchen staff.
• Flexibility to assist in all areas of the kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen management.
• Train, mentor, and supervise kitchen staff.
• Ensure that every dish is prepared and presented according to standards.
• Assist in ordering, stock rotation, and inventory control.
• Adhere to health, safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Work with the Head Chef to ensure food costs are controlled.
• Adapt to special dietary requirements and requests.
• Take charge of the kitchen when the Head Chef is absent.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Food Safety

Team Collaboration

Organisational Skills

Adaptability

Passion for Food

Creativity

Financial Awareness

Job description

Overview

The Sous Chef will thrive in supporting the Head Chef to deliver exceptional food while ensuring the smooth operation of the kitchen. You will be passionate about food quality and presentation, maintaining high standards, and ensuring that all dishes are prepared and presented to perfection. You will be integral in leading the kitchen team, training and mentoring junior staff, and ensuring that operational efficiency and food safety standards are met.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Head Chef: Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen management, including menu creation, food preparation, and ensuring that kitchen operations run smoothly.
• Team Leadership: Train, mentor, and supervise kitchen staff, ensuring high standards of food preparation and cleanliness.
• Food Quality and Consistency: Ensure that every dish is prepared and presented according to the venue's standards, maintaining consistency and quality at all times.
• Stock Management: Assist in ordering, stock rotation, and inventory control, ensuring that stock levels are maintained and waste is minimised.
• Health and Safety: Adhere to health, safety, and hygiene regulations to ensure the kitchen operates in a safe and clean environment.
• Cost Control: Work with the Head Chef to ensure food costs are controlled and within budget, while maintaining the highest quality.
• Customer Focus: Ensure that dishes meet client and customer expectations, adapting to special dietary requirements and requests as needed.
• Operational Support: Take charge of the kitchen when the Head Chef is absent, ensuring the operation runs smoothly.
• Culinary Expertise: Proven experience in high-quality catering, ideally within a similar venue or setting, with a passion for creating exceptional dishes.

Qualifications

• Leadership Skills: Ability to supervise and motivate a team of kitchen staff, ensuring a high level of performance.
• Food Safety: A strong understanding of food hygiene and safety standards, with the ability to enforce them in the kitchen.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work well with both front‑of‑house and kitchen teams to deliver a seamless customer experience.
• Organisational Skills: Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to assist in all areas of the kitchen and respond to changing demands during service.
• Passion for Food: A deep enthusiasm for culinary arts and delivering an exceptional dining experience.
• Creativity: Ability to contribute to menu planning and innovation, keeping up to date with culinary trends.
• Financial Awareness: Ability to manage food costs and contribute to the financial success of the venue.

About Compass

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

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:

Benefits

• 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