At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team and deliver high-quality meals in a Defence environment.
- Company: Join Compass, a leading contract catering business with a strong commitment to diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and exclusive discounts on travel and shopping.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for additional shifts available.
- Why this job: Be the key person in a structured role with early shifts and autonomy.
- 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
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.
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 in Aberdeen employer: ESS
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. With a focus on employee growth through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare perks, travel discounts, and wellness classes, ensuring our team members feel valued and empowered to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Aberdeen
✨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 position 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. A visual representation of your work can really make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to food safety and service standards, so you can align your answers with what they’re looking for in a Chef Manager.
✨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 in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but someone who genuinely enjoys creating delicious 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 successfully managed teams in the past and how you plan to inspire and support your colleagues at CHC Scotia.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don't just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Mention specific achievements, like how you improved food quality or reduced waste. This will help us see how your background aligns with what we're looking for in this role.
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, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the specific kitchen operations at CHC Scotia. Research their menu and understand the types of meals they serve. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can contribute to maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a small team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate staff, create efficient rotas, and ensure smooth service delivery, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Flexibility
The job requires adaptability to operational needs, including early starts and occasional weekends. Be ready to discuss your experience with flexible working hours and how you’ve handled unexpected challenges in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Food Safety and Hygiene Knowledge
Since maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards is crucial, brush up on relevant regulations and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve implemented these standards in your previous kitchens to ensure compliance and quality.
