About the Role
We are recruiting for an experienced and motivated Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at a busy secondary school in Sandy. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a high-volume kitchen, serving approximately 350 main meals daily, supported by a team of 5 General Assistants.
Youll be responsible for delivering fresh, nutritious, and high-quality meals, while managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring excellent standards across food quality, hygiene, and customer service.
Chef Manager Secondary School
??Location - Sandy, Bedfordshire (SG19)
?? Salary: £35,000 per annum
? Hours: 42 weeks per year, 45 hours per week (approx. 6:30/7:00am 4:30pm)
?? Contract: Permanent role. Full-time, term-time plus
Key Responsibilities Lead, manage, and develop a team of 5 General Assistants
Oversee the preparation and service of around 350 meals per day
Plan and deliver creative, seasonal, and nutritious menus suitable for a secondary school environment
Manage two service pods and ensure smooth, efficient service during busy periods
Take full responsibility for kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, and budget management
Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and COSHH regulations
Maintain high standards of food presentation and customer satisfaction
Build positive relationships with students, staff, and stakeholders
Monitor and drive financial performance, including GP and cost control
What Were Looking For Proven experience as a Chef Manager or strong Sous Chef ready to step up
Experience in high-volume catering environments (education or contract catering preferred)
Strong leadership and team management skills
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Passion for delivering fresh, healthy, and appealing food
Excellent organisational and communication skills
Good understanding of allergen management and dietary requirements
Whats On Offer Competitive salary of £35,000 per annum
Term-time working (42 weeks per year) great work-life balance
Daytime hours (no late evenings)
Opportunity to lead your own site and make a real impact
Supportive and established contract catering environment
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