Are you a talented Sous Chef looking for a role that values your creativity without sacrificing your work-life balance? At Horder Healthcare, we offer a unique opportunity to bring your culinary skills to a calm, supportive environment—far removed from the high-pressure, late-night demands of commercial kitchens.
As part of our experienced catering team, you’ll assist the Head Chef and Corporate Catering Manager in the smooth running of our kitchen, lead the team in the Head Chef’s absence, and help craft menus that support recovery and wellbeing. Your work will make a real difference to patients and staff, providing nutritious, high-quality meals that truly matter.
What we offer:
* Daytime hours only – enjoy evenings free for family, friends, and hobbies
* Predictable schedule – no split shifts or last-minute changes
* Supportive team culture – collaborative, friendly, and focused on quality
* Professional development – training and growth opportunities within a respected healthcare organisation
* Purpose-driven work – your food contributes to health and recovery
* Benefits – access to enhanced pension scheme, healthcare discounts and great benefits
What you’ll do:
* Support the Head Chef and Catering Manager in daily operations
* Lead the kitchen team when required
* Prepare and present meals to high standards
* Contribute creative ideas for menus aligned with dietary needs
* Ensure compliance with food safety and hospital policies
* Manage stock control and ordering
About you:
* City & Guilds 706 Level 2, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
* Food Safety Certificate (C.I.E.H. Level 2)
* Experience in a busy kitchen environment
* Strong communication and leadership skills
* Exposure to menu planning, with a keen interest in current food and dietary trends.
* Proactive and forward thinking, with a passion for continued learning.
* A working ethic aligned to our core values as a group: Caring, Friendly, Quality, Integrity and Pride.
Location: The Horder Centre, Crowborough
Contract Type: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Sunday, 5 out of 7 days with shifts ranging from 6.30am to 6.30pm
Salary: up to £28,500.00 per annum
Right to work in the UK
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK before commencing employment. We have assessed this role and it does not meet the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. As such, we will not be accepting any visa sponsorships for this role, and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK independently, without sponsorship from Horder Healthcare.
At Horder Healthcare, we are proud to champion and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all areas of our business. We are committed to creating an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to protected characteristics by applicable law.
As a disability confident employer, we are pleased to offer our full support should you require an alternative method of applying or any reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process.
In order to streamline our recruitment process, we reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Due to the nature of work here at Horder Healthcare, and to ensure that we remain committed to our Safeguarding policy, any applicant upon an initial offer of employment will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check). References and Occupational Health checks will also be taken up before appointment.