Junior Sous Chef - Sevenoaks Chef - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose! Location: Sevenoaks School, High street, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HU Salary: 16.50 per hour Hours: 40 hours per week Working Pattern: 5 days out of 7 Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a Junior Sous Chef for Sodexo, you'll be at the heart of the school, overseeing food and beverage operations, managing budgets, and ensuring every meal is top-tier. Your leadership will inspire your team daily, creating a dynamic and productive work environment. Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way. What You'll Do: Ensure full compliance with statutory, company, and allergen safety regulations, including HACCP procedures. Support the smooth operation of core service and hospitality functions, collaborating with senior kitchen staff. Oversee food preparation, storage, and waste management, maintaining accurate records and temperature controls. Organise service areas, including setting up hotplates, arranging shams, and ensuring all crockery is ready for service. Lead pre-service briefings, delegate tasks proactively, and ensure all functions are set up for seamless service delivery. Prepare food with care, paying particular attention to customers' dietary requirements and allergies. Promote a positive team environment, foster good customer relations, and uphold the company's professional image. Monitor and record food safety checks, stock rotation, and waste, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Assist in managing costs, equipment maintenance, and ensuring the kitchen remains safe, clean, and fully operational. Supervise staff training, handle customer feedback, report incidents, and contribute ideas for menu development and special functions. What You Bring: Essential: Experience cooking on a large scale Demonstrate experience of working in a similar role within the service industry at a comparable level in a company Able to demonstrate attention to detail and adherence to standards Analyse problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions Show ability to set standards and operate to the service standard criteria HACCP awareness To demonstrate a flexible attitude to working hours and promote a positive mental outlook to all aspects of work Be respectful of others at all times The desire and tenacity to adhere to procedures Basic Food Hygiene and Health and Safety Certificates At least one year of hands-on cooking experience (Training in Food Hygiene and Health & Safety provided) NVQ level 3 in food preparation Desirable Proven experience of managing client relationships Proven track record of leading, managing and developing a team Personal innovation and creativity To show a hunger and passion for good food and the drive to make it achievable Good admin and telephone skills Flexible approach to the role and be self-motivated Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with customers, clients and staff What We Offer: A dynamic and supportive work environment Competitive salary and benefits Full training and protective uniform provided No unsociable hours and public holidays off-including Christmas! Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn't just a job-it's a chance to be part of something bigger. If you're ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you! Apply today and help us create a brighter future! Note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks. Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.