At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh meals to students every day.
- 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 while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36500 - 36500 £ 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.
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
- 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.
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 employer: leisurejobs
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. With a strong focus on employee development, IFG provides ongoing training, access to free qualifications, and opportunities for career progression, all while fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture. Join us in making a real difference in students' lives by delivering high-quality meals in a dynamic and engaging environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager
✨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; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is all about high-volume catering, be ready to showcase your culinary talents. Maybe even prepare a signature dish to impress during your trade test.
✨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 a kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at IFG.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-quality meals shine through. We want to see that you’re not just about feeding students, but about creating enjoyable dining experiences!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your people management experience. Share examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles—this is key for us!
Be Specific About Your Experience:We’re looking for someone with hands-on kitchen experience, especially in high-volume settings. Don’t just say you’ve managed a kitchen; tell us about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the recruitment process smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at leisurejobs
✨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 the catering industry. Showing that you prioritise safety and compliance will reassure the interviewers that you can maintain high standards in their kitchens.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
During the interview, build rapport with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their operations and team dynamics. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the company culture aligns with your values and work style.
