Job overview
We are delighted to share the position of Development Head Chef role at Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust. It brings with it an opportunity to join our successful and passionate catering team, who provide a professional catering service, managing the production of freshly produced meals within the Catering Services department at 7 Hospitals (across Greater Manchester). Menu creation will a key deliverable of the position with an outlook of Food is Medicine. The role will also be involved in overseeing the Retail offering within 2 busy retail outlets.
You will ensure that set standards, procedures, and processes to produce high-quality food are adhered to and comply with all internal and external food production regulations and legislation.
As Development Head Chef you will also play a pivotal role in developing our in-house service teams to help” Grow our Own” in both skills and knowledge.
Main duties of the job
1. Must be a creative chef with exacting standards who can lead their team by example and inspire their team to achieve new levels of satisfaction through food development.
2. Work closely with internal and external stakeholders.
3. Monitor and maintain consistent food standards and quality across all areas and during all stages of production.
4. Ensure that quality control measures and food safety systems are always achieved.
5. You will have strong leadership qualities and detailed knowledge of health & safety.
6. Experienced in creating fresh food menus and aware of new Trends affecting the industry and marketplace.
7. Ensure that all food is presented and served in line with Trust standards using innovative methods, presentation, and food service.
8. To participate and provider input in the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) procedure in accordance with the Food Safety within the Trust’s Catering Policy, to create and maintain correct use of records, upholding legislation.
9. Ensuring that quality control measures and food safety systems are maintained at all times.
10. Be prepared to Take full accountability for the day-today running of the kitchen service.
11. Actively participate in the ongoing management and development of menus.
12. Attend patient engagement group/ feedback meetings across the Trust
13. Maintain and monitor production controls which may impact on financial position of the department.
14. Work closely with Catering Management within the department
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
This may not be exhaustive and additional duties may be required for the successful delivery of food services within the Trust
This role will involve visiting and working at multiple locations across Greater Manchester
Staff benefits
15. Pay Enhancements
16. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
17. Excellent pension
18. Cycle to work scheme
19. Salary sacrifice car scheme
20. Wellbeing programme
21. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
22. Level 3 Food Safety Certification
23. Allergen certification
24. HACCP knowledge
Desirable criteria
25. Advanced Allergen Certification
26. Electronic Stock system experience
27. Microsoft Office knowledge
Development
Essential criteria
28. Have you created and costed menus previously
29. Have you you hosted tasting sessions for wider engagement
30. Have you developed an inhouse team in previous positions
Desirable criteria
31. Have you been a Sous or Head Chef Previously
32. Have you managed a team above 10 previously
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.