About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and driven Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at a busy secondary school in North London. This is an exciting opportunity to take full responsibility for a high-volume kitchen serving approximately 250 main meals daily, alongside a grab & go offer of around 320 items.
You will oversee a well-structured team including a Chef, Customer Service Assistant, and 5 General Assistants, ensuring smooth daily operations and consistently high standards.
Chef Manager Secondary School
??North London, N15
?? Salary: £35,000 per annum
? Hours: 42 weeks per year, 45 hours per week (7:00am 4:00pm)
?? Contract: Full-time, term-time plus
Key Responsibilities Lead, manage, and motivate a team including a Chef, CS assistant, and 5 General Assistants
Oversee the preparation and service of 250 main meals plus 320 grab & go items daily
Manage both main kitchen service and pod service efficiently
Plan and deliver nutritious, appealing, and seasonal menus for a secondary school setting
Take ownership of stock control, ordering, and budget management
Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen management, and health & safety regulations
Maintain excellent food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction
Drive service efficiency during busy lunch periods
Build strong relationships with students, staff, and stakeholders
Monitor financial performance, including GP and cost control
What Were Looking For Previous experience as a Chef Manager or a confident Sous Chef ready to step up
Strong background in high-volume catering (education or contract catering preferred)
Proven leadership and team management skills
Ability to manage multiple service streams (main meals and grab & go)
Passion for fresh, healthy, and innovative food
Strong organisational and communication skills
Good knowledge of dietary requirements and allergens
Whats On Offer Salary of £35,000 per annum
Term-time working (42 weeks per year)
Daytime hours only excellent work-life balance
Opportunity to lead a busy and dynamic school site
Supportive and established catering environment
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