Sous Chef

Compass Group UK; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Pension scheme

Career development

Digital GP access

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I ESS division at Wattisham Airfield is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead catering operations with a hands-on approach in a fast-paced, structured environment. You will be accountable for daily feeding and function activities, while guiding and developing a dedicated team to deliver high-quality meals.

We are looking for a hands-on leader with strong organisational and communication skills who can manage a small team, adapt to changing schedules, and maintain top food

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role.
• Hands-on leader who works alongside the team.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Capable of managing a small team and adapting to weekly schedules.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver high-quality meals for Service Personnel.
• Lead from the front in a hands-on Sous Chef role.
• Manage daily feeding and function activities.
• Support, motivate, and develop the team.
• Ensure food presentation, consistency and service standards.

Skills

Sous Chef experience

Leadership

Food safety

High-volume catering

Budget management

Job description

Sous Chef - Wattisham Airfield

37.5 hours per week/ £33500 per annum

We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef to lead our catering operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong kitchen leader who enjoys being on the tools, supporting their team, and delivering high-quality food in a fast-paced, structured environment.

You’ll be responsible for daily feeding and function activities while leading and developing a dedicated team.

What you’ll be doing

• Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel
• Leading from the front in a hands-on Sous Chef role
• Managing daily feeding and function activities
• Supporting, motivating, and developing a team
• Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards
• Managing food ordering, stock control, and minimising waste
• Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
• Managing budgets and ensuring financial targets are met
• Ensuring full compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role
• A hands-on leader who enjoys working alongside their team
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• The ability to manage a small team effectively and responsibly
• Calm under pressure and confident in a high-volume catering environment
• Reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to changing weekly schedules
• A safety-first mindset with a genuine passion for food

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:

• Free meals
• 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

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/0408/95373001/52622265/SU #Defence

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!