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: Work-life balance with no evenings or weekends, plus monthly incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € 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 maternity cover at Q3 Academy Great Barr, with a move to another IFG site. Working days are Monday to Friday, with shifts from 7am to 4pm (45 hours per week) for 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days, and 3 additional weeks).
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 leadership skills:
- 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: daytime hours, no evenings or weekends, all school holidays off, free meals on shift, and uniform provided. Plus, you’ll benefit from ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities, access to free qualifications, 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.
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 West Bromwich 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, you will have access to ongoing training and career progression opportunities, alongside unique benefits such as free meals on shift and monthly team incentives. Join us in making a meaningful impact on students' lives while leading a passionate team in a dynamic environment.
Contact Detail:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in West Bromwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This is your moment to shine and prove that you can handle the high-volume kitchen environment with ease.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to schools or catering companies like Impact Food Group. Express your interest and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it local! Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that Chef Manager role. We love seeing applications from passionate candidates who are eager to make a difference in students' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in West Bromwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-volume catering shine through. Share specific examples of how you've created fresh, seasonal meals in the past and how that aligns with our mission at Impact Food Group.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you lead and motivate your team! Include details about your experience managing a kitchen, especially in school or high-volume settings. Talk about how you’ve developed your team and maintained high standards.
Be Organised and Clear:Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary to highlight your skills and experiences. This shows us that you have excellent organisational skills, which are crucial for the Chef Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and popular dishes that resonate with students. Be ready to discuss how you would create a menu that balances nutrition and taste while catering to diverse dietary needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your approach to motivating staff, resolving conflicts, and ensuring high standards. This will demonstrate your capability to manage a high-volume kitchen effectively.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Brush up on food hygiene regulations and safety standards relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, as this is crucial for maintaining a safe environment for students.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you would foster strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders. Be ready to share strategies for effective communication and collaboration, as this will be key to your success in the role.
