Job Title: Chef Manager
Location: West Kent (TN13 area)
Contract Type: Term‑time – 38 working weeks.
Salary: £35,500 per year
Benefits
* 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
* 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
* 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
* 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
* Bespoke training & development opportunities
* Pension & life insurance
* Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
* Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
* Free meals while at work
* Career development through apprenticeships for all experience levels.
About the Role
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Chef Manager to lead the kitchen team at a prestigious independent school in West Kent. You will be responsible for managing day‑to‑day kitchen operations, delivering fresh, high‑quality meals, and ensuring exceptional food service for pupils, staff, and visitors.
You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
The safety and wellbeing of the people we serve is at the heart of everything we do. A key element is effective allergen management; achieved through training, communication, and care, we create mealtimes where every pupil has a safe experience. Our mission is simple: to provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their job and our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
* Manage and support a small kitchen team, fostering a positive working environment
* Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships
* Maintain accurate financial records including budgets, ordering, and stock rotation
* Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
* Work collaboratively with the school community to provide a friendly and efficient catering experience
* Accountability for following and championing allergen controls
Qualifications
Candidate Profile:
* Previous experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering, ideally the Independent Education sector
* Strong kitchen management and leadership skills
* Passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create balanced, appealing menus
* Excellent organisational and communication skills
* Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and sustainability best practices
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.
Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children.
The appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
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