At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh meals to students daily.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Fantastic work-life balance with all school holidays off.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong team management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 £ per year.
Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment. Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.
The role involves working at a new school opening in the DA1 area of Dartford, with working days from Monday to Friday, shifts from 6:30am to 4pm (45 hours per week), and 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days, and 3 additional weeks). The pay details are £38,000 per annum.
As a Chef Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for running a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to hundreds of students every day. This is a hands-on, leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain high standards, and ensure smooth, efficient service.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
- Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals at high volume
- Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
- Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
- Building strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders
- Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
We’re looking for an experienced Chef Manager with a passion for high-volume catering and strong staff management skills. The ideal candidate will have:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Proven ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at high volumes
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, and compliance
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, hands-on approach and pride in maintaining high standards
If you thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy leading teams to deliver great food, this could be the role for you.
We offer a fantastic work-life balance with daytime hours, no evenings or weekends, all school holidays off, free meals on shift, and uniform provided. Additionally, you’ll benefit from ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities, access to free qualifications, a staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers, and monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers.
This is your opportunity to lead a high-volume kitchen, develop your career, and make a real difference in students’ lives.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to hear from you! Please note: An interview, trade test, and kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process. IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure and children’s barred list 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 in Dartford employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises work-life balance with daytime hours and all school holidays off. As a Chef Manager in the new Dartford school, you will enjoy ongoing training and career progression opportunities, alongside benefits like free meals on shift and access to discounts across over 850 retailers, making it a rewarding place to grow your culinary career while positively impacting students' lives.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about making great food for students.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role involves a trade test, make sure you’re ready to whip up some fresh, seasonal meals under pressure. Maybe even invite a friend over for a mini cook-off to get in the zone!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to discuss how you’ve motivated and developed your team in past roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve tackled challenges and kept morale high in a busy kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team or the school’s catering needs. This shows you’re engaged and serious about the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-quality meals shine through. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who genuinely cares about the food you serve and the impact it has on students' lives.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your people management experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles, and how you plan to do the same with us at Impact Food Group.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your past jobs; dive into the details! Share specific examples of high-volume catering environments you've worked in, the types of menus you've created, and how you've managed stock and budgets. This will help us see how you fit into our fast-paced world.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the types of meals that Impact Food Group serves. Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and how they can be incorporated into high-volume cooking. This will show your passion for food and your ability to create nutritious meals for students.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully motivated and developed your team. Be ready to discuss how you handle conflicts and ensure smooth service during busy periods.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen operations. This knowledge will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards and keeping students safe.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don't hesitate to ask questions about the school's catering needs and how you can contribute. Engaging with the interviewers shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you understand their expectations better. It’s a great way to build rapport!
