Support Chef Manager - South Region

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Dartford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in school catering is seeking a Support Chef Manager to ensure exceptional food experiences across independent schools. The position involves managing kitchen operations, supporting teams, and ensuring food quality. Ideal candidates will be passionate about culinary arts and possess strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development pathways

Access to Digital GP

Exclusive travel discounts

Grocery store discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cashback rewards

Wellness classes

Qualifications

• Passionate about food and service.
• Ability to communicate effectively and inspire teams.
• Financially aware with efficient resource management.

Responsibilities

• Support school-based catering teams and lead when necessary.
• Ensure smooth kitchen operations and quality service.
• Prepare fresh, high-quality food from scratch.
• Uphold food safety and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Handle menu planning, stock control, and food ordering.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Culinary skills

Team management

Education

Relevant culinary qualifications

Job description

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Job Introduction

At Chartwells Independent, we recognise and reward the hard work of our teams. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes, but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development pathways and access to our MyLearning platform
• Fast access to a Digital GP for you and your immediate family, alongside a range of healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and more
• Savings on your weekly shop with discounts at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and other leading supermarkets
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cashback rewards on everyday purchases, redeemable across a wide variety of retailers
• Free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes to support your wellbeing
• The ability to share many of these offers with friends and family

We are currently recruiting for a Support Chef Manager to join our dynamic regional team in South Region, supporting our independent school portfolio.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a passionate and professional team, delivering exceptional food experiences for pupils and staff in some of the UK's most respected independent schools. At Chartwells Independent, you'll be joining a forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation, quality, and making food a real highlight of the school day.

With a growing portfolio of schools across the UK, this role provides the opportunity to further your career in a high-quality environment with support, development, and a strong people-first culture.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing hands-on support to school-based catering teams, stepping into leadership roles when required
• Ensuring smooth kitchen operations and consistent service delivery across a number of schools
• Preparing fresh, high-quality food from scratch in line with our culinary standards and nutritional ethos
• Upholding the highest standards of food safety, health and safety, and kitchen hygiene
• Supporting menu planning, stock control, food ordering, and production levels in line with budgetary and operational requirements
• Supporting projects including re-launches, sales and mobilisations.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Genuinely passionate about food, service, and positively impacting young people's daily experience
• An effective communicator and team player, able to inspire and lead teams in a positive and supportive way
• Financially aware, with the ability to manage costs and resources efficiently.
• A skilled chef with a strong culinary background and relevant experience or qualifications

Join us at Chartwells Independent, part of the Compass Group family.

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/0306/98577001/52742508/SU #Independent

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!