Chef Manager – Independent School Catering (Term Time Only) – Tunbridge Wells, Kent – up to £45,000
Are you a talented Head Chef ready to take the next step into management, or an experienced Chef Manager looking for a better work‑life balance?
We are recruiting on behalf of a prestigious independent secondary school near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead a busy and successful catering operation.
This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a high‑quality food offering across core dining, hospitality and school events, with a strong focus on fresh food and exceptional service standards, all within a term‑time only position, offering an excellent work‑life balance.
The Role
As Chef Manager, you will be fully responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the catering operation, leading both front and back of house teams while ensuring high standards across all areas.
* Managing the daily catering operation across the school site
* Leading, motivating, and developing a large FOH and BOH team
* Building strong relationships with senior leadership, staff, pupils, and parents
* Managing budgets, forecasting, P&L, and financial reporting
* Menu planning, including dietary and allergen management
* Maintaining exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards
* Overseeing hospitality and event catering functions
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
* An experienced Chef Manager, Catering Manager, or a strong Head Chef ready for progression
* Experienced within education catering or B&I catering environments
* A confident leader with excellent people management skills
* Passionate about fresh food and high culinary standards
* Highly organised with strong attention to detail
* An excellent communicator who can engage with pupils, staff, and stakeholders
* Flexible, proactive, and positive in approach
Additional Information
Term time only position.
* 40 hours per week
* Working pattern: 5 days out of 7
* Competitive salary up to £45,000
* DBS check required for the successful candidate
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