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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, cook fresh meals, manage stock and ensure food safety.
- Company: Join IFG, a top education catering company, awarded Contract Caterer of the Year 2025.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, uniform, pension, and flexible daytime hours with weekends off.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's nutrition while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking and managing kitchens, with food hygiene qualifications essential.
- Other info: Mobile position initially; must have a valid UK driving license and own vehicle.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 24500 £ per year.
Welcome to IFG, we are one of the fastest growing education catering companies in the country and were recently awarded Contract Caterer of the year 2025 at the Contract Catering Awards. We want one simple thing: awesome people to help us feed more children better food.
Due to continued growth, we are recruiting additional Chef Managers to join the IFG Team. You will assist with the mobilisations of our new sites in September then move to head up the team as Chef Manager at a school local to where you are based.
The role:
- Area Supporting: Cobham & surrounding areas
- Working Days: Monday to Friday
- Shifts & Working hours: 6.30am/7am start, some flexibility needed (45 hours per week)
- Working Weeks: 38 weeks per year (Term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks for deep cleans, stock and getting ready for the new term)
- Pay Details: £25,000 - £27,000 per year
- Benefits: Whilst mobilising mileage paid at 45p per mile, free meals on shift, uniform, pension, and other great company benefits.
To begin with, this will be a mobile position whilst training and will require a full valid UK driving license and your own vehicle.
What will I be doing?
- As Chef Manager you will head up the kitchen team at one of our schools
- Cook from our amazing menu using fresh seasonal ingredients
- All stock ordering, rotas, and people management
- Responsible for health and safety & maintaining a high level of food safety and hygiene compliance
- Being financially accountable for the unit attaining its GP/COGs
- Be the face of IFG with the client.
Skills needed:
- Proven leadership skills and the ability to motivate staff
- Strong technical cooking skills
- Good financial skills for stocks and menus
- Ability to work in challenging environments, while maintaining high standards
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills
- Food hygiene and food preparation qualifications essential
Your Background:
We’re open to people with great cooking and people management skills. You will be an experienced Chef Manager, used to cooking using fresh seasonal ingredients at a volume of 300+, managing your kitchen and liaising directly with onsite clients. As the manager, you will head up the team, making sure service runs smoothly and that all due diligence is adhered to.
We’re not in the business of making school food, we’re here to make good food, after all, that’s why our clients and customers love us!
What’s in it for me?
So maybe you fancy working somewhere close to home, with daytime hours, and with your weekends and evenings free? Not to mention all school holidays off, giving you the opportunity for some great work-life balance. As an added bonus, a free meal is supplied on shift! (and uniform)
We’ll give you a place to grow and a career to be proud of. There are loads of free qualifications and career development opportunities to be had and we’ve got a staff discount scheme at over 850 retailers! We also run monthly opportunities for the best teams to win shopping vouchers...
Next steps:
If you think you’ve got what it takes, and the times above suit you, we’d love to hear from you! An interview and trade test/kitchen visit will be required for this role.
IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG will pay for. We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.
Chef Manager Primary School employer: Impact Food Group
Contact Detail:
Impact Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager Primary School
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with IFG's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to providing quality food for children will help you align your answers during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've motivated teams in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed kitchen operations and maintained high standards under pressure.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations, as these are crucial in a school environment. Being able to confidently discuss compliance will show that you take these responsibilities seriously.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role involves mobilising to new sites, highlight your flexibility and willingness to adapt. Mention any past experiences where you've successfully transitioned to new environments or taken on additional responsibilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager Primary School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management and cooking with fresh ingredients. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and your ability to manage a team effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and education catering. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your skills in managing a kitchen and working with children, as well as your commitment to high food safety standards.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Include any food hygiene and preparation qualifications in your application. If you have additional certifications related to cooking or management, make sure to mention those as well.
Prepare for the Interview: Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in detail, especially those that relate to managing a kitchen and leading a team. Think about examples where you've successfully handled challenges in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've motivated staff and managed a kitchen effectively in the past.
✨Highlight Your Cooking Expertise
Make sure to discuss your technical cooking skills and experience with fresh seasonal ingredients. Be prepared to talk about your favourite dishes to prepare and how you ensure quality in high-volume settings.
✨Understand Financial Accountability
Since the role involves financial management, brush up on your knowledge of stock ordering and menu pricing. Be ready to explain how you've successfully managed budgets and achieved financial targets in previous roles.
✨Prepare for the Trade Test
The interview process includes a trade test, so practice your cooking skills ahead of time. Familiarise yourself with the types of dishes you might be asked to prepare and ensure you can showcase your ability to maintain high standards under pressure.
