Chef Manager

Job introduction

As Chef Manager for Sodexo at Ruskin Junior School, Wordsworth Dr, Swindon SN2 7NG, you will oversee all aspects of the food and beverage operations as well as the finances for your school's kitchen. You will be responsible for ensuring that the food and level of service are of the highest calibre and that the school catering is among the best in the region.

Your attitude will influence your team's daily experience as the person they look to for guidance and support, helping to foster a positive, vibrant, and productive working environment.

A successful Chef Manager must be able to plan, prepare, and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals at scale, ensuring menus meet School Food Standards while catering for allergens, dietary, cultural, and special requirements. You will bring strong leadership and team management skills, including supervising staff, organising rotas, training team members, and maintaining high performance in a busy kitchen environment. The role also requires solid experience in budget management, stock control, ordering, and waste reduction, ensuring cost-effective operations without compromising quality.

As well as this, you will benefit from a great work-life balance with no unsociable hours and enjoy public holidays off, including Christmas.

Additional benefits include free parking at site, access to rewards and development opportunities, and the chance to work within a welcoming and supportive small primary school environment.

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 you do:

• Manage the replenishment of food and the dismantling of work areas at the end of service.
• Develop, mentor, conduct training, and inspire the kitchen team.
• Control the complete catering operation, including labour, food, and stock expenses.
• Manage and optimise all costs that are under your control.
• Ensure uniformity in the food and service standards provided to fellow staff members, visitors and students.
• Manage the creation and development of menus.
• Conduct routine audits to ensure standards are being followed.

What you bring:

• Must have expertise on cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 - 1300 students.
• Have experience following recipes, possibly in a similar setting.
• Have previous staff supervision experience or line management experience.
• Have experience working with fresh produce and ingredients.
• Be aware of the importance of adhering to health and safety procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines in a busy Kitchen environment.
• Be professional, leading by example and having a positive outlook is key.
• Hold basic food handling skills certification:
  • NVQ Level 2
  • Level 2 Food safety Certificate
  • A minimum of 1 years of experience in hands on cooking, training on Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety will be given.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of application

Why Sodexo?

"For a job that's a perfect mix of passion, perks and potential"

• £14.70 per hour
• 30 hours per week
• Working pattern: Monday - Friday, 8am -2pm
• Term Time only (39 week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks)

Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.