Sous Chef

Compass Group PLC; Troston; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career Pathways

MyLearning programmes

Digital GP

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Retail discounts

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness programs

Family discounts

Job summary

Compass Group PLC is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead our catering operation within Defence, Government, and Energy services across the UK. This hands-on role focuses on daily feeding, event support, and developing a dedicated team in a fast-paced, structured environment.

You will oversee food preparation, presentation, hygiene, and safety standards while managing stock, budgets, and scheduling to meet high-volume requirements. A safety-first mindset and strong leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Sous Chef or Senior Chef role.
• Hands-on leadership and team development.
• Calm under pressure in a high-volume catering environment.

Responsibilities

• 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

Job description

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
  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
  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.
• 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:
• 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