At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create amazing food experiences and ensure smooth kitchen operations.
- Company: Join CH&CO, part of Compass Group UK&I, known for exceptional service and food quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, wellbeing support, training opportunities, and holiday purchase schemes.
- Other info: Flexible shift patterns and regular social events to connect with leaders.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team that values individuality and offers career growth.
- Qualifications: Must have 2+ years in catering, team management experience, and relevant qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Overview
Chef Manager – Coachman Court
Location: Rochford
Salary: £31230 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm
Join Us in Making a Real Difference Through Food
We are a leading Senior Living provider committed to creating exceptional dining experiences that truly enrich the lives of our residents. Our teams are built on warmth, respect, and support—ensuring both residents and colleagues feel valued every day.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a passionate and motivated Chef Manager to lead our kitchen at Coachman Court. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves cooking with purpose, thrives in a people-focused environment, and can inspire a team to deliver nutritious, beautifully presented meals.
If you want to use your culinary creativity in a role where your work has real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading the kitchen to deliver high‑quality, nutritious meals that our residents look forward to.
- Overseeing menu planning, meal preparation, and daily service.
- Managing and motivating a small kitchen team to ensure a smooth, efficient operation.
- Ensuring full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
- Managing stock levels, ordering supplies, and working effectively to budgets.
- Creating menus that reflect residents’ preferences, dietary needs, and seasonal produce.
- Maintaining excellent standards of presentation, portion control, and kitchen organisation.
What We’re Looking For
- Previous experience as a Chef Manager, Head Chef, or experienced Chef, ideally within care, education, hospitality, or senior living.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
- Sound knowledge of food safety standards and kitchen compliance.
- A genuine passion for providing great food and enhancing the resident dining experience.
- A positive, adaptable, and hands‑on attitude.
Why Join Us
- Consistent daytime hours (no late nights!)
- A supportive working environment where your creativity and leadership are valued.
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of older adults every day.
Benefits
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Job Reference: com/2605/44007001/52793361/R/STC #White Oaks
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Chef Manager employer: Medirest
At CH&CO, part of Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values individuality and invests in the growth of our team members. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, comprehensive training opportunities, and a vibrant work culture, we ensure that our Catering Managers not only excel in their roles but also enjoy a fulfilling career path. Join us to be part of a supportive environment where your passion for food and customer service can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience with Compass Group UK&I. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with current employees and gain insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for food and customer service during any informal conversations or interviews. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond in previous roles to create exceptional dining experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in catering and food service. Being knowledgeable about innovative food concepts can help you stand out as a candidate who is not only experienced but also forward-thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your financial acumen in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've managed budgets or improved profitability in past roles, as this is a key responsibility for the Catering Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your relevant catering experience, especially any roles where you managed teams or operations. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in food preparation and customer service.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and exceptional service. Mention your experience in managing catering teams and how you can contribute to the success of Compass Group UK&I.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Clearly list your qualifications such as NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2, along with your Basic Food Hygiene certificate. This will show that you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to lead and train teams effectively. Provide examples of how you've supported team members in previous roles to ensure they excel in their positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Medirest
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for exceptional food and customer service during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've created memorable dining experiences in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Catering Manager, you'll be overseeing teams. Highlight your experience in managing and training staff, and discuss how you lead by example to ensure everyone excels in their roles.
✨Know Your Financials
Be prepared to discuss your financial acumen. Bring examples of how you've managed budgets, monitored costs, and implemented action plans to improve profitability in past positions.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to catering. Be ready to talk about how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you plan to maintain these standards in the new position.
