Job Overview
We have an exciting opportunity to become our new Chef Manager at one of our independent schools in Sheffield S10 3DH. Wilson Vale is an established, quality‑led contract caterer that works with clients across the UK, placing a huge value on great food as part of their culture and community. We operate in office restaurants, independent schools and conference venues with a high‑end ethos.
This is a full‑time, permanent position, minimum 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The role operates on an annualised hours basis: 35.8 term‑time weeks with accrued hours for extended time off during school holidays. Any non‑accrued hours may be worked at an alternative Wilson Vale site during non‑term periods to meet contracted annual hours. The proposed start date is 24 August 2026.
As Chef Manager, you will lead the delivery of a fresh, high‑quality food offer for pupils, staff and visitors, creating nutritious and engaging menus that reflect seasonal ingredients and the needs of the school community. The food offer focuses on fresh, seasonal dishes prepared using quality ingredients and cooked throughout the service. At the heart of the operation is a handcrafted deli and salad bar featuring build‑your‑own salads and sandwiches, jacket potatoes and daily homemade soups, complemented by a hot food offer including a meat main course, vegetarian main course, hot savoury snack, daily hot dessert and a selection of cold grab‑and‑go desserts. Inspired by world cuisine, menus incorporate flavours and influences from across the globe to create a varied, exciting and balanced dining experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead the day‑to‑day catering operation, delivering high‑quality food and service standards.
- Plan, prepare and present fresh, seasonal menus that meet the needs of the school community.
- Manage, motivate, train and develop a team of 12 catering colleagues.
- Ensure exceptional customer service and maintain strong client relationships.
- Oversee food safety, allergen management, health & safety and company compliance procedures.
- Manage stock control, ordering, food costs and budget performance.
- Deliver promotional events, themed menus and customer engagement initiatives.
- Complete all required administration, reporting, payroll and HR processes accurately and on time.
- Drive sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction and environmentally responsible practices.
- Support the wider business as required and undertake any other reasonable duties associated with the role.
Qualifications
- Strong culinary skills with a passion for fresh, seasonal food and high presentation standards.
- Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and inspire a team.
- Excellent organisational, communication and time‑management skills.
- Commercially aware, with experience managing budgets, food costs and stock control.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding food quality, allergens, compliance and customer experience.
- Innovative and proactive approach to continuously improving the food offer and service.
- Competent IT and administrative skills, including reporting and record‑keeping.
- Flexible, adaptable and solution‑focused.
- Previous experience as a Chef Manager, Head Chef or in a senior catering management role.
- Experience within education, contract catering, hospitality or another high‑volume catering environment.
- Proven experience leading, training and developing catering teams.
- Strong background in menu planning, fresh food production and service delivery.
- Sound knowledge of food safety, allergen management and health & safety legislation.
- Experience managing budgets, financial performance, stock control and food costs.
- Experience building and maintaining positive client relationships.
- Level 3 Food Safety qualification (or equivalent) desirable.
- Experience supporting sustainability initiatives and reducing food waste advantageous.
Benefits
- Our working hours are some of the best you'll find in catering – we are strong believers in work‑life balance.
- Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities.
- Craft Works – Free craft‑focused career development training programme.
- Paid training bespoke to you.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme – your wellbeing is very important to us.
- Online employee benefits scheme – monetary savings on everyday items!
- Your birthday off every year after 1 year’s service.
- Enhanced maternity pay.
- Craft at our core – we pride ourselves on our craft‑skilled chefs who create wonderful fresh food from scratch.
- It’s all about the food – the menu is the most important document our chefs write every week.
- Quality, seasonal ingredients – 300+ British suppliers and our chefs can source locally.
- Freedom to create – our teams love to cook up exciting food themes and pop‑ups to keep the food fun.
- Support like no other – our business was founded by family and we have stayed true to those same family values of nurturing development, protecting our values and building trust and loyalty.
- Making food that not only tastes great but is good for the planet. We have always had a strong environmental ethos and are dedicated to our social and environmental commitments.
- We believe in tailored training and opportunities to build your career with us.
Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams – everyone has a voice.
