At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team and deliver high-quality meals to military personnel.
- Company: Join a leading contract catering business in a structured Defence environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, healthcare benefits, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for additional shifts available.
- Why this job: Enjoy autonomy and early shifts while making a real impact in a vital role.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 37615 - 37615 £ per year.
Salary: £37,615 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week (primarily Monday–Friday)
Shift Pattern: Early starts from 05:00 – approx. 14:00 (Additional hours and occasional weekends required to support operational delays)
About the Role
We’re looking for a strong, reliable, and committed Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at CHC Scotia. This is a great opportunity for a hands-on chef who thrives in a structured Defence environment and is confident running a kitchen with a small team. You’ll take full ownership of the kitchen, leading from the front and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality meals to military personnel, while maintaining excellent standards across food, safety, and service.
What you’ll be doing:
- Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen as the lead on site
- Preparing and delivering fresh, high-quality meals across breakfast and lunch service
- Leading and supporting a small team, including 1 part-time front-of-house team member
- Managing stock control, ordering, and minimising waste
- Creating efficient rotas and ensuring smooth service delivery
- Maintaining excellent food hygiene, health & safety, and compliance standards
- Being flexible to support additional requirements, including delays and occasional weekend cover
- Setting high standards and ensuring consistency across all aspects of the operation
What we’re looking for:
- Previous experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager in a similar environment
- Strong, self-sufficient individual who can confidently run a site with minimal supervision
- Reliable, committed, and adaptable to operational needs
- Solid experience with stock counts, ordering, and kitchen administration
- Proven ability to manage small teams and lead from the front
- Comfortable working early starts and flexible hours when required
- Experience in Defence or contract catering (desirable)
What’s on offer:
- Salary of £37,615 per annum
- Monday to Friday working pattern with early finishes
- Opportunity for additional hours
- Stable, structured role within a Defence environment
- Career development within a leading contract catering business
This role would suit a confident Chef Manager who enjoys autonomy, early shifts, and being the key person responsible for delivering a smooth, efficient catering service. We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Chef Manager NEW Defence Posted today £37,614.70 per year Westhill Operations employer: Chartwells Independent
At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a stable and structured role as a Chef Manager within a Defence environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare perks, travel discounts, and wellness initiatives. Join us to lead a dedicated team in delivering high-quality meals while enjoying a supportive work culture that values diversity and empowers you to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager NEW Defence Posted today £37,614.70 per year Westhill Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. You never know who might have a lead on a Chef Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and kitchen management experiences. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in a structured Defence environment like CHC Scotia.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager NEW Defence Posted today £37,614.70 per year Westhill Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your previous experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager. We want to see how you've successfully run kitchens before, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Yourself:We’re looking for someone who’s reliable and adaptable. Let your personality shine through in your application – we want to know what makes you tick and how you can lead our team!
Tailor Your Application:Read the job description carefully and tailor your application to match. Use similar language and focus on the skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for in a Chef Manager.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience managing a kitchen. Think about specific examples where you led a team or improved service quality, as this will show your hands-on approach and leadership abilities.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
Given the nature of the role, it’s important to demonstrate your adaptability. Be prepared to talk about times when you had to adjust your plans or schedules to meet operational needs, especially in a Defence environment.
✨Highlight Your Safety Standards
Food hygiene and safety are crucial in this role. Make sure to mention your experience with compliance standards and how you maintain high levels of food safety in your kitchen. This will reassure them that you take these responsibilities seriously.
✨Prepare Questions About the Team
Since you'll be leading a small team, come prepared with questions about their current dynamics and challenges. This shows your interest in team management and helps you gauge how you can best support your future colleagues.
