At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create delicious meals for our customers.
- Company: Join an award-winning contract caterer that values great food and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible hours, 28+ days holiday, and mental health support.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and paid volunteering days to give back.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant environment while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Chef Manager or similar role with strong culinary and people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: 5/7, based on 40 hours per week.
Lexington is an award-winning contract caterer that focuses on providing great food and service to customers. To do this, we need fabulous people and we work hard to create an environment where our team members feel engaged, inspired, valued and enjoy what they do.
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks! At Lexington, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That's why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success!
Here's what's waiting for you:
- Free, tasty meals - Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
- Flexible working - including part-time roles, because life doesn't run on a 9-5 schedule.
- Plenty of Time to Unwind - 28 days of holiday, and after two years, enjoy even more with 31 days.
- Leave for life's important moments - whether family, personal or unexpected.
- Give back time - paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
- Room to grow - career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
- Wellbeing first - mental health support and wellbeing perks.
- Financial security - pension schemes and life assurance.
- Exclusive discounts - save on entertainment, leisure, and even travel!
Key Responsibilities:
- Operational Management: Take ownership of the day-to-day catering operation on site. Plan daily food production in line with pupil numbers, staff feeding, hospitality, events and agreed service levels. Ensure breakfast, lunch, supper, hospitality, events and boarding provision, where required, are delivered to the agreed standard. Oversee service periods, ensuring food availability, presentation, replenishment, queue management and customer experience are maintained. Organise daily team deployment across preparation, service, cleaning, hospitality and other site requirements. Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, service, cleanliness and organisation. Plan effectively for school events, theme days, open days, hospitality and changing client needs. Escalate operational issues, risks or concerns to the Operations Manager promptly.
- Food, Kitchen and Compliance: Lead food production and maintain strong culinary standards. Ensure menus, recipes, allergens, special diets and portion controls are followed. Maintain all required food safety, health and safety, allergen and cleaning records. Work in line with school safeguarding expectations and report any concerns through the correct process.
- Financial and Accounts Control: Manage site-level financial performance in line with budget. Control food cost, labour cost, stock, sundries and hospitality spend. Support the Operations Manager with budget reviews, forecasting and site financial reporting where required.
- Client and Lexington Relationship: Act as the day-to-day contact for the client on site. Act as the key link between the site team, client and Lexington support teams. Support Lexington initiatives, audits, reporting and service improvements. Communicate site updates, risks, successes and support needs clearly to the Operations Manager.
- Hospitality, Events and Boarding: Take ownership of hospitality delivery, ensuring requests are planned, costed and delivered professionally. Maintain clear hospitality records and backup for charging and client visibility. Support school events, theme days, open days, parent evenings and food engagement activities as required.
- People Management: Lead, motivate and support the catering team. Organise the team effectively across kitchen production, service, cleaning, hospitality and boarding where required. Support training, onboarding, probation reviews and team development.
The Chef Manager should demonstrate:
- Previous experience as a Chef Manager, Head Chef, Catering Manager or similar.
- Strong culinary skills and confidence leading a busy kitchen.
- Experience managing a catering team in a school, contract catering, hospitality or similar environment.
- Good understanding of food safety, allergens, health and safety and compliance.
- Experience managing stock, ordering, budgets, food cost and waste.
- Strong people management and communication skills.
- Confident using company systems, email and basic reporting tools.
Flexibility Statement: Because of the changing nature of our business, this job description may change from time to time. You may be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature that fall within your capabilities and are reasonably requested by management.
Chef Manager in Maidstone employer: Lexington-Catering
At Lexington, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where our team members are engaged, inspired, and valued. With benefits like free meals, flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and ample opportunities for career development, we ensure that our employees feel supported both personally and professionally. Join us in creating memorable dining experiences while enjoying a workplace that prioritises wellbeing and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Chef Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary flair! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes or even a few photos from past events. It’s a great way to demonstrate your skills and passion for food.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture at Lexington. Understand their values and how they support their team. Tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission of providing great food and service.
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the Lexington family. Let’s get you that Chef Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary expertise and any relevant experience. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our kitchen!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Chef Manager role. We love seeing candidates who take the extra step to connect their skills with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Make sure to include all the key information without rambling on too much!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Lexington!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lexington-Catering
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience in managing a busy kitchen. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've maintained high food quality and safety standards in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to lead and motivate your team. Think of examples where you've successfully managed a team, resolved conflicts, or supported team development. Highlight your communication skills and how you engage with your staff.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with budgeting, stock management, and financial performance. Be ready to discuss how you've controlled food costs and managed budgets in past positions. This will show that you can handle the operational side of the role effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific situations, like catering for a large event or dealing with unexpected issues. Think through potential scenarios and how you would ensure smooth operations while maintaining high standards.
