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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, cook fresh meals, manage stock and ensure food safety.
- Company: Join IFG, a top education catering company, awarded Contract Caterer of the Year 2025.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, uniform, pension, and flexible daytime hours with weekends off.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's nutrition while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking and managing kitchens, with food hygiene qualifications essential.
- Other info: Mobile position initially; must have a valid UK driving license and own vehicle.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 24500 £ per year.
Welcome to IFG, we are one of the fastest growing education catering companies in the country and were recently awarded Contract Caterer of the year 2025 at the Contract Catering Awards. We want one simple thing: awesome people to help us feed more children better food.
Due to continued growth, we are recruiting additional Chef Managers to join the IFG Team. You will assist with the mobilisations of our new sites in September then move to head up the team as Chef Manager at a school local to where you are based.
The role:
- Area Supporting: Chertsey & surrounding areas
- Working Days: Monday to Friday
- Shifts & Working hours: 6.30am/7am start, some flexibility needed (45 hours per week)
- Working Weeks: 38 weeks per year (Term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks for deep cleans, stock and getting ready for the new term)
- Pay Details: £25,000 - £27,000 per year
- Benefits: Whilst mobilising mileage paid at 45p per mile, free meals on shift, uniform, pension, and other great company benefits.
To begin with this will be a mobile position whilst training and will require a full valid UK driving license and your own vehicle.
What will I be doing?
- As Chef Manager you will head up the kitchen team at one of our schools
- Cook from our amazing menu using fresh seasonal ingredients
- All stock ordering, rotas, and people management
- Responsible for the health and safety & maintaining a high level of food safety and hygiene compliance
- Being financially accountable for the unit attaining its GP/COGs
- Be the face of IFG with the client.
Skills needed:
- Proven leadership skills and the ability to motivate staff
- Strong technical cooking skills
- Good financial skills for stocks and menus
- Ability to work in challenging environments, while maintaining high standards
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills
- Food hygiene and food preparation qualifications essential
Your Background:
We’re open to people with great cooking and people management skills. You will be an experienced Chef Manager, used to cooking using fresh seasonal ingredients at volume of 300+, managing your kitchen and liaising directly with onsite clients. As the manager you will head up the team, making sure service runs smoothly and that all due diligence is adhered to.
We’re not in the business of making school food, we’re here to make good food, after all, that’s why our clients and customers love us!
What’s in it for me?
So maybe you fancy working somewhere close to home, with daytime hours, and with your weekends and evenings free? Not to mention all school holidays off, giving you the opportunity for some great work-life balance. As an added bonus a free meal is supplied on shift! (and uniform)
We’ll give you a place to grow and a career to be proud of. There are loads of free qualifications and career development opportunities to be had and we’ve got a staff discount scheme at over 850 retailers! We also run monthly opportunities for the best teams to win shopping vouchers...
Next steps:
If you think you’ve got what it takes, and the times above suit you, we’d love to hear from you! An interview and trade test/kitchen visit will be required for this role.
IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS 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 Primary School employer: Impact Food Group
Contact Detail:
Impact Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager Primary School
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with IFG's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to providing quality food for children will help you align your answers during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've motivated teams in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed kitchen operations and maintained high standards under pressure.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your financial management skills, particularly in relation to stock ordering and menu planning. Being able to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in the past will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role involves liaising with clients, practice your communication skills. Think about how you can effectively convey your ideas and ensure client satisfaction, as this will be crucial in your role as Chef Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager Primary School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management and cooking with fresh ingredients. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and your ability to manage a team effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and education catering. Mention specific skills that align with the job description, such as financial accountability and food safety compliance.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Include any food hygiene and preparation qualifications in your application. If you have certifications related to cooking or kitchen management, make sure they are prominently displayed.
Prepare for the Interview: Research IFG and their approach to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you would manage a kitchen team and ensure high standards of food quality and safety during the interview and trade test.
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share specific examples of how you've motivated staff in the past and managed kitchen operations effectively.
✨Highlight Your Cooking Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your technical cooking skills and experience with fresh seasonal ingredients. You might even want to bring up any unique dishes you've created or special techniques you use that could impress the interviewers.
✨Understand Financial Accountability
Since the role involves financial management, brush up on your knowledge of stock ordering and menu pricing. Be ready to explain how you've successfully managed budgets in previous roles and how you ensure profitability while maintaining quality.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Food hygiene is paramount in this role. Make sure to discuss your qualifications and experience related to food safety and hygiene compliance. Providing examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous kitchens will show your commitment to safety.
