Support Relief Chef Manager

OCS; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a flexible Support Relief Catering Manager to cover Chef & manager shifts at Hull, Lincoln, Newcastle, Coventry, Birmingham and Warwick. The role provides managerial support across multiple catering sites to ensure high-quality food services, operational continuity and an excellent customer experience.

You will lead catering teams, manage rostering, uphold food safety standards (Level 2 minimum), monitor stock, assist with new menus and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Experience supervising or managing catering operations.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety.
• Excellent communication and people-management skills.
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple sites.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Level 2 Food Safety (minimum).
• Level 3 Food Safety or equivalent (desirable).
• Experience working across multi-site catering operations (desirable).
• Knowledge of cost control and basic financial reporting (desirable).
• Experience in hospitality, education, commercial, or care-sector kitchen (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day catering operations across designated sites.
• Maintain high standards of food production, presentation, and hygiene.
• Ensure smooth service delivery during staff shortages or manager absences.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
• Support the implementation of new menus, systems, or procedures.
• Lead, motivate, and support catering teams during relief placements.
• Assist with rota management and staffing allocation.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and safe working environment.
• Ensure compliance with food safety legislation and HACCP documentation.
• Deliver excellent customer service across sites.
• Support budget management and cost control.

Skills

People management

Food hygiene

Allergen management

Health & safety

Communication

Multi-site work

Organization

Problem solving

Education

Level 2 Food Safety

Level 3 Food Safety

Job description

Working Pattern

Role will be required to cover Chef & manager shift at Hull, Lincoln and Newcastle. To provide flexible managerial support across multiple catering sites, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality food services, operational continuity, and an excellent customer experience. The Support Relief Catering Manager steps in during periods of absence, increased demand, or to assist in the rollout of new operational processes.

About The Role

Role will be required to cover Chef & manager shift at Hull, Lincoln and Newcastle. To provide flexible managerial support across multiple catering sites, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality food services, operational continuity, and an excellent customer experience. The Support Relief Catering Manager steps in during periods of absence, increased demand, or to assist in the rollout of new operational processes. This is a mobile chef relief role and would be covering the Coventry, Birmingham and Warwick areas.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Manage day‑to‑day catering operations across designated sites.
• Maintain high standards of food production, presentation, and hygiene.
• Ensure smooth service delivery during staff shortages or manager absences.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
• Support the implementation of new menus, systems, or procedures.

People Management

• Lead, motivate, and support catering teams during relief placements.
• Provide training and guidance to maintain consistent standards across teams.
• Assist with rota management and allocation of staffing resources.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and safe working environment.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all activities comply with food safety legislation and organisational policies.
• Maintain accurate records including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and HACCP documentation.
• Monitor compliance with allergen control and health & safety policies.

Customer Experience

• Deliver excellent customer service across all sites.
• Respond to customer feedback and resolve issues promptly.
• Ensure the catering offer meets service expectations and organisational standards.

Financial Management

• Assist with budget management, cost control, and waste reduction.
• Support revenue‑driven initiatives (where applicable).
• Ensure correct cash handling procedures and financial reporting.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify areas for operational development and share best practice.Support change management initiatives across catering services.
• Contribute to audits, quality reviews, and service improvement plans.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience supervising or managing catering operations.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety.
• Excellent communication and people‑management skills.
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple sites.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving abilities.
• Level 2 Food Safety (minimum).

Desirable

• Level 3 Food Safety or equivalent.
• Experience working across multi‑site catering operations.
• Knowledge of cost control and basic financial reporting.
• Experience in a hospitality, education, commercial, or care‑sector kitchen.

Key Attributes

• Adaptable and calm under pressure.
• Confident decision‑maker.
• Customer‑focused mindset.
• Positive and supportive attitude.
• Commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer

Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning

The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks

With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth

600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay

Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.