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: Work-life balance with all school holidays off and monthly team incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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. Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.
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
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.
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, and 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.
If you think you've got what it takes, we'd love to hear from you! 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 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 Sunbury-on-Thames employer: Job Search Place Limited
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 school catering. As a Chef Manager, you will enjoy free meals on shift, ongoing training, and development opportunities, alongside a supportive work culture that values teamwork and personal growth. Join us to lead a high-volume kitchen and make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying monthly incentives and a commitment to your professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Sunbury-on-Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their brands. Understanding their mission and values will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is all about high-volume catering, be ready to showcase your culinary expertise. Consider doing a mock trade test with friends or family to get comfortable under pressure.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work at IFG. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from us at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Sunbury-on-Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-volume catering shine through. Share specific examples of how you've created fresh, seasonal meals in the past, and why you believe great food matters in schools.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your experience in managing and motivating others. Talk about how you've developed your team in previous roles and the positive impact it had on service.
Be Organised and Detailed:We want to see that you can handle the nitty-gritty of kitchen operations. Include details about your experience with menu planning, stock management, and compliance with food safety standards. This shows us you're ready for the challenge!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey to becoming a Chef Manager with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about seasonal ingredients and menu ideas that would resonate with students. Being able to discuss your vision for fresh, high-volume meals will show your passion and expertise.
✨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. This will demonstrate your strong people management skills.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, as this is crucial for the role and shows your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you can foster strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Prepare to share your strategies for effective communication and collaboration, as this will highlight your ability to oversee smooth service and build rapport.
