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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, ensuring high-quality meal delivery for students.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving quality of life through exceptional services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, free wellbeing access, and discounts on retail and travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a school setting while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Chef background with NVQ Level 2 and experience in kitchen leadership required.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for community volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 33200 - 41600 £ per year.
Kitchen Manager – Lead with Excellence at Q3 Academy Oldbury
Location: Q3 Academy, Moat Road, Oldbury, B68 8ED
Pay: £16.01 per hour
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Do you thrive in a fast-paced kitchen environment and enjoy leading large teams? Sodexo is looking for a Kitchen Manager to oversee a high-volume catering operation, delivering over 1,500 meals each day at Q3 Academy Oldbury.
Join a forward-thinking team where your skills will shape the daily experience of hundreds of pupils. Be part of something greater—where purpose meets opportunity.
About the Role
As Kitchen Manager, you’ll play a vital role in the smooth running of our kitchen operations, working in partnership with the on-site Unit Manager to ensure meals are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards.
This is a hands-on leadership role—you’ll inspire, coordinate, and drive a large team, while upholding the Sodexo values of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
Ensure food is prepared to high standards, with a strong focus on allergens and health & safety
Manage kitchen staffing, rotas, labour budgets, and training
Control stock, ordering, and cost of goods in line with menu specifications
Monitor kitchen performance: labour, wastage, disposables, and food quality
Maintain compliance with all statutory regulations and Sodexo policies
Deliver client hospitality and special dietary requests with care and precision
Work collaboratively with the site Unit Manager and other stakeholders to meet service level agreements
What We\’re Looking For
Chef background with NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery
Proven experience in a similar kitchen leadership role
Ability to manage a large team in a high-output catering environment
Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills
Resilient, self-motivated, and calm under pressure
High standards of hygiene, food safety, and compliance
Computer literate and financially aware
Experience within education or large-scale catering environments
A passion for delivering great food and service in a school setting
A flexible, collaborative and people-first leadership style
What You’ll Get in Return
Competitive pay and full training provided
Free access to wellbeing and mental health platforms, including 24/7 virtual GP
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – legal, financial, and personal support
Sodexo Discounts Scheme – savings on retail, travel, dining, and more (for you and your family)
Cycle to Work Scheme
Retirement Plan and Death in Service benefit
Ongoing development through Sodexo’s learning and career progression tools
Opportunities to volunteer and give back to your community
A flexible and dynamic working environment where you\’re valued for who you are
Ready to take the lead?
Bring your passion, creativity, and leadership skills to one of the UK’s most respected service teams. Apply now and be part of a team where your actions make a difference every single day.
Please Note:
Due to the safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role, successful candidates will be subject to appropriate background checks including past employment references and enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) or Disclosure Scotland screening.
Sodexo reserves the right to close the advert early if a high volume of applications is received.
Package Description
Location: Q3 Academy, Moat Road, Oldbury, B68 8ED
Pay: £16.01 per hour
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
**Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.**
About the Company
About Sodexo
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We are committed tobeingan inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
Clickhere to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
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Kitchen Manager employer: Sodexo Group
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Sodexo's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction will help you align your leadership style with their expectations during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing large teams in high-pressure environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen operation, focusing on teamwork and efficiency.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your knowledge of food safety regulations and allergen management. Being able to demonstrate your expertise in these areas will show that you prioritise safety and compliance in your kitchen operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for working in an educational setting. Discuss any previous experience you have in schools or similar environments, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to the well-being of students through quality food service.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management and leadership roles. Emphasise your chef background, NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery, and any experience in high-output catering environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food service in an educational setting. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and maintained high standards of hygiene and food safety.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, focus on your strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills. Provide examples of how you've handled pressure and ensured compliance with health and safety regulations.
Showcase Your Values: Align your application with Sodexo's values by demonstrating your commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and teamwork. Mention any initiatives you've led that reflect these values in your previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Kitchen Manager, you'll be leading a large team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Culinary Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your chef background and any relevant qualifications, such as your NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery. Discuss your experience with food safety, allergens, and menu planning.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about past challenges you've faced in the kitchen and how you resolved them, especially regarding staffing, budgeting, and compliance.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Education Catering
Since this role is within a school setting, express your enthusiasm for providing quality meals to students. Share any experiences you have in educational or large-scale catering environments to demonstrate your fit for the role.
