Sous Chef

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Wattisham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways & MyLearning

Digital GP & wider healthcare benefits

Exclusive travel discounts

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is recruiting a experienced Sous Chef for Wattisham Airfield. This hands-on role leads the catering operation, supports the team, and delivers high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel in a fast-paced environment.

You will oversee daily feeding and function activities, develop the team, and ensure high standards of food hygiene, safety, and presentation while controlling stock and budgets in a busy, structured setting.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef.
• Hands-on leader who works alongside the team.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage a small team effectively and responsibly.
• Calm under pressure in a high-volume catering environment.
• Reliable and flexible to changing weekly schedules.
• Safety-focused with a passion for food.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver high-quality, nutritious 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 excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards.
• Manage food ordering, stock control, and minimise waste.
• Maintain top standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety.
• Manage budgets and meet financial targets.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

Sous Chef experience

Hands-on leadership

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Team management

Food safety mindset

Calm under pressure

Flexible schedule

Job description

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.

Sous Chef - Wattisham Airfield

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

Benefits

• 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!