Sous Chef

The Venues Collection; Oxford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in contract catering is seeking an ambitious Sous Chef to enhance food experiences at their Oxford venue. This full-time role involves managing food operations, training teams, and ensuring high standards of service. Join a supportive environment that values individual growth and offers numerous employee benefits.

Benefits

Medicash - Healthcare benefits

Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check

Entertainment discounts

Health & Wellbeing discounts

Meals on duty

Pension scheme and Life Assurance

23 days + Bank Holidays

Ongoing training & development

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role is required.
• Willingness to lead by example and inspire the kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with food operation management and consistency of food offer.
• Training kitchen and sales teams in current products.
• Monitoring customer satisfaction and managing team development.

Skills

Excellent culinary skills

Excellent communication skills

Leadership skills

Education

Chef qualification

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Sous Chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for Levy on a full-time basis, contracted to 40 hours per week.

Overall Purpose of the Role:

Assisting the management of the food operation within The Venues Collection property. Working with the Head Chef and key stakeholders to deliver a consistent, compliant, and profitable department in accordance with all statutory requirements, company policies, and health and safety procedures.

Duties will include:

• Assisting with the consistency of the food offer throughout the hotel
• Assisting with food ordering and stock rotation
• Minimising and monitoring waste wherever possible using Compass lead systems
• Providing a consistent product and delivering to a high level
• Assisting with implementation and inspiring the team with current food trends and cooking techniques
• Delivering a wide variety of meetings and events
• Training kitchen, F&B, and sales teams in current products and how to deliver them
• Following company standards and delivering a high degree of success
• Monitoring customer satisfaction reporting
• Staff retention and development
• Managing and developing team members to progress within the kitchen hierarchy
• Reporting to the Head Chef to understand how the kitchen can improve and implementing changes
• Implementing and managing rotas against business expectations
• Maintaining a high level of HSE practice within your department
• Overseeing FIR and allergen guidelines and providing information for customers at all times

What we're looking for in you:

• Excellent culinary skills
• Experience in a similar role
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to engage and motivate others
• Willingness to lead by example and inspire the kitchen team with guidance from the Head Chef
• Chef qualification
• Ability to maintain processes to promote efficient ways of working

In return, we offer support and development to progress within a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards employees who go beyond the plate.

• Medicash - Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical, and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children)
• Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment discounts - up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Health & Wellbeing discounts - Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%)
• Travel discounts - Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
• Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
• Meals on duty
• Vodafone discounts
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 23 days + Bank Holidays and additional day off for your birthday
• 2 days additional leave following return from maternity leave during the first year back
• Supportive family benefits
• Day off for baby's first birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Ongoing training & development and career pathways
• Professional subscriptions paid
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products

Great things happen when people gather in our spaces to meet, sleep, and celebrate at Milton Hill House. From leisure breaks, weddings, and celebrations to conferences, meetings, and training, our venue offers an informal atmosphere where guests can be themselves. Milton Hill House is part of The Venues Collection, a division of Compass Group UK & Ireland, the market leader in contract catering & support services.

Part of Compass Group UK&I, we manage seven accessible event spaces with hotel-like facilities, across the UK, featuring stylish and historic meeting areas. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, with competitive pay, great perks, and unrivalled learning and development opportunities at one of the UK's biggest businesses. Our passionate teams strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to leading workplaces and cultural destinations.

Job Reference: com/1605/94176001/52739572/SU #Venues Collection

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves and has equal opportunities to advance. We celebrate the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered, and to thrive—because diversity is our strength!