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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, manage catering operations, and create nutritious menus for students.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving quality of life through food services.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time hours, mental health resources, and flexible working conditions.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale food production and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities for community involvement and personal growth.
As Chef Manager for Sodexo at Brewood CE Middle School, School Road, Stafford, ST16 9DS, you will oversee all aspects of the food and beverage operations as well as the finances for your school’s kitchen. You will be responsible for ensuring that the food and level of service are of the highest calibre and that the school catering is among the best in the region. Your attitude will influence your team\’s daily lives as the person they go to for direction and support, which will in turn foster a vibrant and productive work environment. As well as this, you will not work unsociable hours and you will get public holidays off… including Christmas!
Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.
What you do
- Manage the replenishment of food and the dismantling of work areas at the end of service.
- Develop, mentor, conduct training, and inspire the kitchen team.
- Control the complete catering operation, including labour, food, and stock expenses.
- Manage and optimise all costs that are under your control.
- Ensure uniformity in the food and service standards provided to fellow staff members, visitors and students.
- Manage the creation and development of menus.
- Conduct routine audits to ensure standards are being followed.
What you bring
- Must have expertise on cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 – 1300 students.
- Have experience following recipes, possibly in a similar setting.
- Have previous staff supervision experience or line management experience.
- Have experience working with fresh produce and ingredients.
- Be aware of the importance of adhering to health and safety procedures.
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines in a busy Kitchen environment.
- Be professional, leading by example and having a positive outlook is key.
- Hold basic food handling skills certification:
- NVQ Level 2
- Level 2 Food safety Certificate
- A minimum of 1 years of experience in hands on cooking, training on Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety will be given.
What we offer
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
- A death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
- Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
- Flexible and dynamic work environment
- Competitive compensation
- Full training and full protective uniform supplied.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland).
*Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of application
Package Description
- £15.00 per hour
- 35 hours per week
- Working pattern: Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm
- Term Time only (39 week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks)
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 to being an 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.
Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
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Cook Manager employer: Sodexo Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school environment! Visit Marshlands School if you can, chat with staff and students, and soak up the vibe. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills during interviews! Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past. We want to see how you can inspire others to create a kitchen atmosphere that's all about collaboration and support.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss menu ideas! Think about how you can balance nutrition and appeal for both kids and adults. Bring some creative suggestions to the table that reflect your understanding of what makes meals exciting and healthy.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see how your passion can inspire our team and the students we serve.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed others in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can create a supportive environment!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just say you’ve managed kitchens; give us the details! Mention the size of the teams you’ve led and the types of menus you’ve created. We want to know how your background aligns with our needs at Marshlands School.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Ltd
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with menu design principles and nutritional guidelines. Be ready to discuss how you would create appealing menus that cater to both children and adults, showcasing your understanding of their tastes and dietary needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff or resolved conflicts. This will demonstrate your natural leadership style and ability to foster teamwork in a busy environment.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Brush up on food safety regulations and hygiene practices relevant to large-scale food production. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, as this is crucial for maintaining high standards and safety for students and staff.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Community Impact
Express your enthusiasm for working in a school environment and how you see your role contributing to the wellbeing of students and staff. Share any previous experiences where your work positively impacted a community, highlighting your commitment to making a difference.
