Head Chef – Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!
Apply (by clicking the relevant button) after checking through all the related job information below.Location: Chetham’s school of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester, M3 1SBSalary: £40000 per annumHours: 40 hours per weekWorking Pattern: 5 out of 7 days (6.30am – 2.30pm or/and 11am – 7pm (FLEXIBLE))Every 3rd weekend off, No late finishesFree onsite ParkingStaff workplace meals provided, Flexible working arrangements with Potential progression within SodexoExceptional Sodexo benefits with Great discounts & Recognition and Potential progression within SodexoAre you ready to take the lead in a fast-paced kitchen where high-quality food delivery meets large-scale event catering?As Head Chef with Sodexo, you will oversee a dynamic, high-volume catering operation at Chethams School of Music , preparing and delivering meals for up to 400 people across multiple service areas. This role goes beyond day-to-day cooking, youll play a key part in coordinating large-scale service, supporting events, and ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality at every sitting.Your leadership will be central to maintaining smooth operations in a busy environment, inspiring your team to perform at their best while delivering exceptional food and service standards.Best of all? Enjoy a great work-life balance with all bank holidays and public holidays off, including Christmas.Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.What Youll Do:Our ethos is Fresh Food from Scratch so it is imperative to prepare and present food to the notified standard, ensuring the standard of fresh food from Scratch is followed.Oversee and coordinate all core culinary activities across catering locations to ensure consistency and quality.Manage and control service delivery to meet specified performance, quality, and financial targets while maintaining high standards.Ensure value for money through effective supply chain management and purchasing practices.Build and nurture long-term client relationships to foster stability and growth.Recruit, induct and develop talented employees within the kitchen and, if necessary, firmly and fairly manage poor performance.Identify opportunities for organic growth and new business development within the catering operation.Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health, safety, and environmental legislation using Sodexos safety systems.Drive continuous improvement and innovation to meet the expectations of school and catering management.Provide strategic and technical support, offering professional advice to clients, colleagues, and the team.Plan, cost, and implement menus using the DRIVe planning tool, ensuring variety, seasonality, innovation, and financial robustness.Champion the Fresh Food Standards ensuring Chethams is the unrivalled site for schools to see and shows off the very best to prospect accounts and visitors alikeBe an active (site based) member of the Chef Development team for Independents by Sodexo by contributing dishes and recipes, attending meetings, assisting with projectsEngage with key client groups – Walk the Floor during service periods and engage and interact with clients, colleagues, and any visitors. Attend pupil food committee meetings each half termRepresent Sodexo at industry events.What You Bring:Essential:Experienced Chef who has operated in a busy high volume contract catering, client facing environmentGood communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team playerFlexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service timesDirect management experience of chefs / kitchen brigadeClear, strong and effective leadership styleStrong ability to increase individuals effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and trainingExcellent time management and organisational skillsAbility to set and maintain standardsNVQ level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalentIntermediate Food Hygiene certificateStrong level of literacy and numeracyDesirableAbility to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approachesPC literateAdvanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualificationWhat We Offer:A dynamic and supportive work environmentCompetitive salary and benefitsFull training and protective uniform providedNo unsociable hoursand public holidays offincluding Christmas!Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing supportEmployee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal supportDiscounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefitsCareer progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeshipsCycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunitiesAt Sodexo , we believe everyone deserves a place to belong . This isnt just a jobits a chance to be part of something bigger . If youre ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!Apply today and help us create a brighter future!Note:Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks. xwzovoh Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications….