Chef Manager

Sodexo Ltd; Cork; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider is seeking a Chef Manager in Cork City to lead a high-performing kitchen team while managing finances and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate has a solid culinary background and proven skills in financial management and team development. In this role, you will maintain high culinary standards, manage budgets, and develop your team to deliver exceptional service. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Sodexo employee benefits package

Qualifications

• Solid chef background and proven culinary ability — non-negotiable.
• Strong financial management skills, with experience in budgets.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing a team.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build trust.

Responsibilities

• Run a high-performing catering operation with culinary standards.
• Take control of site finances — cost management and reporting.
• Lead and develop the catering team for optimal performance.
• Maintain compliance with safety and audit standards.

Skills

Culinary ability

Financial management

Team management

Communication

Compliance knowledge

Job description

• Full time
• Monday to Friday
• €50000 per annum
• Opportunities for professional development
• Plus our Sodexo employee benefits package

Chef Manager
Gas Networks, Cork City – Full Time

At Sodexo, we believe great food and great people go hand in hand. Our teams shape the experience on-site every day, and we’re looking for someone who’s ready to lead with skill, creativity, and confidence. We’re recruiting a Chef Manager who brings equal strength in the kitchen and in financial and operational leadership. If you can balance flavour, people, and budgets — this role is for you.

As a Chef Manager you'll:

• Running a high-performing catering operation while keeping culinary standards front and centre.
• Taking ownership of site finances — cost control, forecasting, and reporting within a tight and structured budget.
• Keeping the operation compliant, safe, and consistently audit-ready.
• Working with a pre-determined and precisely costed menu cycle.
• Leading, coaching, and developing the Catering Team so they can do their best work.
• Managing staff recruitment, training, and performance with a people-first approach.
• Maintaining strong relationships with our client, representing Sodexo with confidence.
• Staying on top of SLAs, KPIs, and service performance.
• Running regular team briefings and keeping everyone aligned and informed.
• Aligning Pop-ups, theme days and promotions with our Dublin site.

What we're looking for:

Essential Requirements

• Solid chef background and proven culinary ability — non-negotiable.
• Strong financial management skills, with experience owning budgets and hitting targets.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing a team.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build trust and exceed client expectations.
• Strong grasp of Health & Safety and compliance standards — and the discipline to uphold them.
• Ability to balance hands-on kitchen leadership with strategic oversight

Desirable Skills

• Experience shaping long‑term business plans and delivering against them.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to spot opportunities for growth.
• Familiarity with purchasing frameworks and compliance processes.
• A track record of driving customer satisfaction and service improvement.