Zebedees Laughton, England, United Kingdom
Zebedees Laughton, England, United Kingdom
Direct message the job poster from Zebedees
Executive Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager
Location:East Sussex, BN8 6BN
Salary: Circa £65,000 - £70,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus up to £6,500
Full-time | Permanent | Monday–Friday, 5am – 2pm
About Zebedees
We are the UK’s leading nursery meals provider, providing over 12,000 lunches and 6,000 teas a day for nursery children across the South East. Zebedees is a privately owned, family-run business committed to fostering a supportive culture and promoting the wellbeing of our team and the customers we serve.
The Role
A rare opportunity has arisen for a passionate and highly experienced Executive Chefto join our Central Production Kitchento oversee our kitchen operations, drive standards, inspire the team, and lead culinary excellence and innovation as we continue to grow.
This is a strategic and hands-on leadership rolereporting directly to the Operations Manager and Directors. You will be responsible for the daily operations, food safety compliance, kitchen efficiency, and leadership of a team of 45 kitchen staff, including kitchen assistants, chefs, and kitchen porters, in a high-output central production facility.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead, support, and manage a kitchen team of 45 production chefs, kitchen assistants, and porters
* Oversee daily operations of our central production kitchen (high-volume nursery catering)
* Ensure consistent execution of meals to specification, quality, and allergen standards
* Manage and maintain all HACCP documentation, internal food safety audits, and compliance procedures
* Collaborate with the Operations Manager and renowned Nutritionist (Charlotte Sterling Reed)on menu development and innovation
* Monitor and maintain compliance with food hygiene, food safety, and auditing standards
* Implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce waste
* Ensure safe and efficient use of high-spec machinery
* Coordinate with logistics and operations teams for timely service delivery
About You
* Proven experience in a senior kitchen management or executive chef role (central/volume production preferred)
* Strong leadership experience managing teams of 30+ staffin a food production or catering environment
* In-depth knowledge of HACCP systems, food safety legislation, and auditing procedures
* High level of organisation, communication, and problem-solving skills
* Experience in scaling production, managing KPIs, and leading continuous improvement
* Proven experience in staff training, strong mentoring, and staff development under your management
* Passionate about food, nutrition, and team culture
·Salary circa £65,000 - £70,000 (dependent on experience) plus bonus up to £6,500
* Monday to Friday daytime hours: 5am - 2pm (no evenings or weekends)
* Private medicalinsurance
* Death in servicecover
* 25 days holiday per year, plus 8 Bank Holiday days, plus birthday leave
* Closed for bank holidays, and from Christmas to New Year
* Free food daily– including breakfast, hot lunch, snacks, tea, coffee
* Fun Fridayswith cooked breakfasts, cakes, and drinks for the whole team
* Fully paid team social events and staff days out
* Full uniform provided
* Fully funded training and development opportunities
* A close-knit, people-first leadership culture
For more information please contact Holly, HR Manager at hr@zebedees.co.uk
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Director
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Management and Manufacturing
* Industries
Food and Beverage Manufacturing
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