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 32500 - 32500 € 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. Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.
School Location: Wolgarston High School, Penkridge, ST19
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Shifts & Working hours: 6.30am-3.30pm (45 hours per week)
Working Weeks: 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks)
Pay Details: £32,500 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. Your responsibilities will include:
- 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
What are we looking for? 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? We offer a fantastic work-life balance: Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends, all school holidays off, free meals on shift and uniform provided. Plus, you'll benefit from:
- 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 Whiston employer: Impact Food Group
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding work-life balance with daytime hours and all school holidays off, making it ideal for those seeking a fulfilling career in catering. As a Chef Manager at Wolgarston High School, you'll not only lead a passionate team in delivering high-quality meals to students but also benefit from ongoing training, development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values your contributions. With free meals on shift, uniform provided, and monthly incentives, IFG is dedicated to fostering a positive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Whiston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. 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 teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve handled challenges in high-volume kitchens to demonstrate your hands-on approach.
✨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 the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Whiston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-volume catering shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for creating fresh, seasonal meals that students will enjoy.
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, stock control, and compliance standards. This will show us that you know your stuff and can handle the responsibilities of the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We want to hear from you directly! Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
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
Be ready to discuss food hygiene, safety standards, and compliance regulations. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices in school catering. Showing that you prioritise safety and quality will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
During the interview, don't just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the kitchen and how they see the Chef Manager role contributing to that. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and your willingness to collaborate with the team.
