Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a small kitchen team to create fresh, high-quality meals for Surrey Police.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the food service industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth, and exclusive discounts on travel and shopping.
- Why this job: Shape a brand-new food service and make a real impact in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or similar, with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.
Overview
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week — mainly Monday to Friday
We are launching a brand-new food service for Surrey Police, and this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something exciting right from the start. As Chef Manager, you’ll lead a small team, serve a fresh breakfast and lunch offer, and play a key role in shaping and growing the service as it evolves. This is a hands-on role within a close-knit team of three — perfect for someone who enjoys ownership, creativity, and the chance to expand the operation over time.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead, support, and develop a small kitchen team of 3
- Deliver a fresh, high‑quality breakfast and lunch offer for Surrey Police officers and staff
- Plan and prepare daily menus plus occasional special or themed events
- Oversee stock control, ordering, budgeting, and waste reduction
- Ensure strong compliance with food safety, health, and hygiene standards
- Help shape and improve this brand-new service as it grows
- Build a positive, collaborative, and supportive kitchen environment
About You
You’re an experienced chef who enjoys leading a team and taking responsibility for a kitchen. You’ll take pride in great food, smooth operations, and creating a welcoming environment.
You Will Have
- Experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager, or similar
- Relevant catering qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds – desirable)
- Strong leadership, organisation, and communication skills
- A hands-on approach and calm attitude under pressure
- Passion for delivering fresh, seasonal meals
- Flexibility for occasional weekend support
If you’re excited by the chance to shape a fresh food offer and grow a team, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us build something great for Surrey Police.
Benefits
- 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
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Chef Manager employer: ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services
Contact Detail:
ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend local food events, or join online chef communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or cooking demonstration to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to places you’d love to work at, like Surrey Police. Express your interest and share your vision for their food service – it shows initiative and passion!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities, including the Chef Manager role, right at your fingertips.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh ingredients shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your creativity in the kitchen and your commitment to quality meals.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a small team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've supported and developed your team in previous roles, and how you plan to do the same with us.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Tailor your application by including specific examples of your past roles as a Head Chef or Chef Manager. Mention any relevant qualifications and how they’ve prepared you for this exciting opportunity with Surrey Police.
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’re considered for this fantastic opportunity to shape a new food service.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to think about the types of fresh, seasonal meals you could offer. Be ready to discuss your ideas for daily menus and any themed events you might want to introduce. This shows your creativity and passion for food!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a small team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your leadership style and how you foster a positive, collaborative environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Standards
Brush up on food safety, health, and hygiene standards relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen and any strategies you use for waste reduction and stock control.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess how you handle pressure and unexpected situations in the kitchen. Think of specific examples where you've maintained calm and delivered high-quality service under stress. This will demonstrate your hands-on approach and problem-solving skills.
