DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Role: Chef Manager
Location: Hayesfield overseeing both Upper Oldfield Park and Brougham Hayes kitchens
Start Date: 5th January 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7.30 am to 3.00pm, term time, plus 5 inset days and 2 extra weeks during the year. This includes occasional evenings and weekends for special events at the school.
Salary: Grade 7 and scale point range 23 - 26. £17.85 - £19.32 hourly rate range, full time equivalent £34,434 - £37,280, Actual Salary £29,484 - £31,921
Hayesfield School is a prestigious school, dedicated to fostering an environment of excellence in both academics and extra-curricular activities. Situated in a vibrant community, the school prides itself on its commitment to nurturing young minds and ensuring the wellbeing of its students. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to oversee both the Upper Oldfield Park and Brougham Hayes kitchens, leading a team to provide nutritious and high-quality meals for our students and staff. With the support of a forward-thinking Trust, you will play a vital role in shaping the school’s catering provision, ensuring it meets the highest standards in food quality, health, safety and sustainability.
Role Overview:
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Chef Manager to join our team at Hayesfield School, overseeing the daily operations of both the Upper Oldfield Park and Brougham Hayes kitchens. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a nutritious and balanced menu, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, managing kitchen staff and maintaining the highest standards of food quality. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of a catering service that supports the school’s ethos and meets the needs of the whole school community.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Prepare, cook and serve an imaginative range of nutritionally balanced dishes.
2. Assist in the development and delivery of a catering strategy aligned with the ‘Food for Life Partnership Scheme’.
3. Manage kitchen staff, providing training, development and support to ensure high standards of service and efficiency.
4. Oversee the day-to-day management of health and safety procedures, including COSHH and HACCP compliance.
5. Contribute to menu planning, portion control and nutrition analysis, including special dietary needs.
6. Maintain stock levels, ordering from nominated suppliers and ensure budget control.
7. Manage the cashless catering system and ensure accurate readings at the end of each service.
8. Participate in regular staff and department meetings, training courses and performance management reviews.
9. Ensure the protection and safeguarding of students, following relevant policies and procedures.
10. Participate in the wider school community, developing positive relationships with students, staff and parents.
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
11. Minimum 2 years of experience working at Head Chef level.
12. Relevant catering qualifications (e.g., City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ Level 2 or 3).
13. Up-to-date knowledge of health and safety regulations (COSHH, HACCP).
14. Strong knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements.
15. Ability to carry out risk assessments and implement safe working practices.
16. Efficient stock control and budget management.
17. Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills.
18. Ability to manage and motivate a team, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
19. Resilient and calm under pressure, with a commitment to high standards.
Desirable Skills:
20. Good general education, including English and Maths to GCSE level or equivalent.
21. Food hygiene certificate (Level 3).
22. Experience in managing catering operations within a school or similar environment.
At the Midsomer School Schools Partnership, we offer a supportive and dynamic environment where staff and students are valued and encouraged to thrive. As Chef Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to lead and inspire a team while overseeing two great kitchens. The role predominantly operates during term time with daytime shifts Monday to Friday, with some evening and weekend work for school events offering an excellent work–life balance. This position provides the chance to make a tangible difference in the daily lives of our students by delivering meals that support their health, wellbeing and academic success. It’s an exciting opportunity to be part of a school that truly values the contribution of every member of the team.
There are many advantages to working for us. Included in your actual annual salary is generous annual leave entitlement, access to a local government pension scheme, sick pay scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, free eye tests and employee assistance helpline. Support staff in schools can also benefit from a range of national discount schemes available to education professionals such as the Blue Light Card offering savings on shopping, travel and leisure.
We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
Safeguarding Statement
Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.