Head Chef - Contract Catering - Middlesbrough Area - £45,000
We’re recruiting a Head Chef to lead a large-scale retail operation within a high-volume catering site close to Middlesbrough.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong B&I Head Chef who loves fresh food, modern retail concepts, team leadership and high-volume operations. We are looking for someone energetic, organised and creative who can lead from the front and keep standards consistently high across a busy multi-offer site.
The Offer
1. Up to £45,000 basic salary
2. 28 days holiday including bank holidays
3. Company pension scheme
4. Free meals on shift
5. Monday to Friday operation
6. Mainly daytime hours
7. Paid overtime or TOIL
8. Sick pay
9. Training and development programmes
10. Internal progression opportunities
11. Referral bonus schemes
The Operation
12. Large-scale B&I contract catering site
13. Around 1000 daily covers
14. Multiple retail food counters
15. Fast-paced, modern kitchen environment
16. Large brigade with multiple production sections
The Food
17. Fresh seasonal food prepared daily
18. Street food and retail-led concepts
19. Rotating weekly menus and food themes
20. Premium salads, deli offers and grab & go
21. High standards of presentation and consistency
The Role
22. Lead the full day-to-day kitchen operation.
23. Manage and develop a large chef brigade.
24. Drive food quality, consistency and service standards.
25. Create fresh, modern and commercially strong menus.
26. Lead hospitality and retail food production.
27. Oversee ordering, stock control and supplier management.
28. Manage labour, GP and food cost performance.
29. Ensure full HACCP, allergen and health & safety compliance.
30. Train, mentor and motivate the kitchen team.
31. Maintain strong kitchen culture and high morale.
32. Support food innovation, seasonal activations and events.
About You
33. Proven Head Chef experience within B&I or contract catering
34. Strong background in high-volume fresh food operations
35. Reliable, consistent and committed to long-term roles.