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For Companies 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 no evenings or weekends.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives with great food.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ 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.
Job Details
- School Location: Watling Academy, Milton Keynes, MK8
- Working Days: Monday to Friday
- Shifts & Working hours: 6.30am-4pm (45 hours per week)
- Working Weeks: 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks)
- Pay Details: £35,000 Annum
What will I be doing?
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.
- 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.
What’s in it for you?
- Fantastic work-life balance with daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
- All school holidays off
- Free meals on shift and uniform provided
- Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- 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.
Next steps
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 Calverton employer: Impact Food Group
Contact Detail:
Impact Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Calverton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their mission. 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 apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Calverton
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. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for creating delicious, nutritious food, especially in a school setting.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership 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! Mention specific achievements in managing kitchen operations, menu planning, or maintaining hygiene standards. This will help us see how your experience aligns with what we’re looking for.
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 during the process. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨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 fresh food and your ability to plan menus effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. Highlighting your people management skills will demonstrate that you're ready to take on the Chef Manager role.
✨Emphasise Compliance Knowledge
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen operations. This will reassure the interviewers that you prioritise safety and quality in your work.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t just answer questions—engage with the interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the kitchen at Watling Academy and how you can contribute. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your willingness to collaborate with the team.