Sous Chef

Aramark Ltd; Long Eaton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits app discounts

Life assurance

Pension contributions

Holiday entitlement buy

Career progression

Job summary

Aramark Ltd is seeking an experienced Multi-Site Sous Chef to support culinary operations across multiple University of Derby sites. You will lead kitchen teams, ensure high food quality, safety, and customer satisfaction across campus dining, hospitality, and events.

This hands-on role requires strong culinary, organisational, and leadership skills with travel between sites and a commitment to HACCP standards. Excellent career prospects and wide benefits accompany this role.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Sous Chef or similar leadership role.
• Experience in multi-site or high-volume catering operations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and allergen management.
• Excellent communication, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in daily kitchen operations across multiple sites.
• Supervise, train, and motivate kitchen staff.
• Ensure food preparation and presentation meet Aramark and University of Derby standards.
• Assist with menu planning and development.
• Maintain hygiene, health and safety standards in compliance with HACCP and Aramark policies.
• Manage stock levels, ordering, and waste reduction in collaboration with procurement.
• Deliver high-quality food service during large-scale events, conferences, and hospitality functions.
• Cover for Head Chef during absences and provide support at other sites as needed.
• Collaborate with front-of-house and service teams to ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Foster a positive relationship with university staff and students, responding to feedback and promoting food innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-site operations

Food safety

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Professional Cookery

Job description

Aramark is seeking an experienced and passionate Multi-Site Sous Chef to support culinary operations across multiple sites at the University of Derby. The ideal candidate will assist in leading kitchen teams, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and customer satisfaction across campus dining, hospitality, and event services. This is a hands-on role requiring excellent culinary, organisational, and leadership skills, with the flexibility to work across a range of university venues. Aramark UK are making a work life balance achievable whilst still working in hospitality, cultivating your culinary career with a world leading organisation. Aramark provides world-class contract catering services to our extensive list of clients across the UK, including Defence and Judicial, private industry and Education. We are lucky to have some of the best Culinary and Catering talent that the UK has to offer working within our teams.

A day in the life of a Sous Chef:

Support the Head Head Chef in daily kitchen operations across multiple university sites. Supervise, train, and motivate kitchen staff, ensuring high performance and morale. Ensure food preparation and presentation meet Aramark and University of Derby standards. Assist with menu planning and development, considering student preferences, seasonal availability, and dietary requirements. Maintain strict hygiene, health, and safety standards in compliance with HACCP and Aramark policies. Manage food stock levels, ordering, and waste reduction in collaboration with procurement. Deliver high-quality food service during large-scale events, conferences, and hospitality functions. Cover for Head Chef during absences and provide support at other sites as needed. Collaborate with front-of-house and service teams to ensure a seamless customer experience. Foster a positive relationship with university staff and students, responding to feedback and promoting food innovation.

Qualifications:

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Sous Chef or similar leadership role.
• Experience in multi-site or high-volume catering operations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and allergen management.
• Excellent communication, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving license and willingness to travel between sites.

Position Details:

Full-time position, 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7, with flexibility for early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends. Based across University of Derby campuses Kedleston Road, Markeaton Street, Britania Mill, Enterprise Centre, Business school IHUB, Chesterfield. We are offering a salary of between £25,000 - £28,000 doe. You will have access to our Employee Benefits app - which includes 100's of discounts, including savings on your weekly supermarket shop and weekend treats. We also offer a company package including life assurance, pension contributions, generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy more, and many more benefits. You will also be joining a talented team, with fabulous career prospects and could lead to all sorts of opportunities - we LOVE to promote from within. As we are passionate about developing our people from within, great training is provided. We also offer apprenticeship schemes, so that your learning journey can continue.