Go back The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Head chef
The closing date is 23 July 2025
The Catering team are looking for a dynamic New Head Chef to lead the team to excellence .
We are expanding our team to meet the needs of our Patients ,staff and Visitors in our on site fresh cook production kitchen.
We are looking for someone with a passion for food ,knowledge of the latest trends in food and a drive to push the team forward as we look to deliver on the day ordering and cooking The candidate will need to be Organised, have flexibility due to operational issues and be prepared to excite and educate the team.
Main duties of the job
To work within a team producing a high standard of food production for the patient, staff and visitors of the Trust, which meets with all current Hygiene and Health & Safety legislation. To provide a high quality catering service in line with standards, objectives and policy of the catering department for the patients, staff and visitors
Ensure food production adheres to hygiene, health, and safety legislation.
Supervise the catering team, ensuring they work efficiently to produce nutritious and well-presented meals.
Oversee food preparation, cooking, and service, ensuring compliance with patient meal plans and dietary guidelines.
Contribute to menu planning and service enhancement, incorporating seasonal, dietary, and nutritional requirements.
Monitor stock levels, orders, and inventory management, ensuring cost control and minimal waste.
Assist in the automation of catering processes, integrating technology to improve efficiency and accuracy in food service operations.
Ensure kitchen operations align with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), food safety standards, and productivity targets.
Maintain excellent customer and colleague relationships, ensuring professionalism and teamwork at all times.
About us
This is an exciting time for the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. We are on a digital transformation journey leading us to our brand new hospital.
We believe that our people are our greatest asset. That's why we invest in continuous learning, career development, and personal growth. From nurses to administrators, everyone has a role to play in our success story.
Job responsibilities
Kitchen Operations & Food Service Management Lead the kitchen team in preparing and cooking high-quality meals for patients, staff, and visitors. Oversee special dietary requirements, ensuring allergen compliance and minimal risk of cross-contamination. Monitor food hygiene standards, portion control, and presentation, ensuring consistency in quality. Ensure all food service processes adhere to NHS Trust guidelines, HACCP protocols, and legal food safety regulations. Supervise meal service in patient dining areas and staff restaurants, ensuring timely and professional delivery. Act as a point of escalation for operational issues within the catering team.. Stock Control & Resource Management Maintain accurate stock levels, ensuring FIFO (First-In, First-Out) principles are applied. Oversee ordering, receiving, and storing ingredients, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Manage budget control measures, minimizing food wastage and maintaining cost efficiency. Ensure all food items are stored at the correct temperatures, and labelling procedures are followed. Support the automation of catering processes, including software integration for improved efficiency.. Compliance, Safety & Hygiene Ensure strict adherence to HACCP policies and NHS food safety regulations. Conduct risk assessments and safety audits to maintain kitchen hygiene and prevent contamination. Ensure staff follow infection control procedures, including PPE usage and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations. Attend all mandatory training, including Food Hygiene, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, and Health & Safety. Ensure kitchen equipment is clean, well-maintained, and safe for use.. Staff Leadership & Team Development Supervise and train kitchen staff, ensuring high performance and professional development. Write the staff rotas, absence management, and workforce planning, ensuring appropriate coverage. Provide feedback, coaching, and appraisals to team members, fostering a culture of excellence. Promote a collaborative and positive work environment, ensuring strong team morale. Continuous Improvement & Menu Development Assist the Catering manager to work closely with dietitians and clinical teams to ensure menus align with nutritional needs. Assist in menu development and service improvements, incorporating patient feedback and best practices. Identify and implement efficiency measures, improving kitchen productivity and service quality. Support quality audits and inspections, ensuring all standards are consistently met.
Person Specification
Experience
Qualifications and experiance
* level 3 food hygiene
* Previous experience in Large Retail/Hospitality environment
* NVQ in Catering level 2 or equivalent
* 3 GCSE Passes
* level 2 food hygiene
* Previous Hospital catering experience
* Electronic ordering experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
£29,970 to £36,483 a yearPer annum, plus 5% high cost area supplement
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