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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and deliver exceptional food service experiences.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving quality of life.
- Benefits: Enjoy wellbeing support, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant culinary environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and strong financial skills required.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 46200 £ per year.
Location: Manchester, M17 1NX
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £33,000 per annum
About the Role
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Chef Manager to lead our catering operation and deliver an exceptional food service experience. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and self-motivated culinary professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and can inspire a team to consistently achieve excellence. As Chef Manager, you will oversee all aspects of food production, financial performance, hygiene and safety compliance, service delivery, and team leadership—ensuring that all services meet agreed client standards and align with Sodexo’s policies and procedures. You will also play an active role in identifying opportunities for business growth, improving customer satisfaction, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Service Excellence
- Deliver all meals and catering services to agreed standards and KPIs.
- Ensure consistently high standards of food preparation, presentation, and hygiene across the operation.
- Conduct daily pre-service briefings and implement themed events in line with Sodexo marketing campaigns.
- Compliance & Safety
- Enforce statutory, company, and site OH&S requirements and ensure all equipment is safe, maintained, and compliant.
- Adhere to all cleaning and hygiene standards, including routine audits in line with the Quality Management System.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, fire regulations, and site-specific procedures.
- Financial & Operational Control
- Ensure accurate financial documentation and reporting, meeting all weekly and monthly deadlines.
- Manage budgets effectively, controlling expenditure, labour, stock levels, and cash.
- Ensure correct pricing, costing, and charging of services in line with contractual terms.
- Maintain accurate stock, credit, and cash control in line with company targets.
- People Leadership
- Lead, train, motivate and develop catering employees to achieve high operational standards.
- Recruit, induct, appraise, and support staff, maintaining accurate training records and promoting positive employee relations.
- Ensure all team members project a professional, friendly, and customer-focused image.
- Business Development & Client Relationship
- Work closely with on-site clients and the Sodexo Food Services Lead to maintain excellent relationships.
- Identify and drive opportunities for service improvement and business growth.
- Ensure consistently positive feedback and client satisfaction.
About You – Person Specification
We are looking for someone who brings:
- Proven experience managing and leading a kitchen and front-of-house team.
- Strong financial acumen with solid budgeting and cost-management skills.
- Experience working in a compliance-driven environment.
- Excellent communication, customer service, and negotiation skills.
- Creativity, innovation, and a passion for food and service excellence.
- A track record of driving company initiatives and operational improvements.
- Relevant culinary qualifications and Health & Safety training.
Why Sodexo?
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. Belong in a company and team that values you for you. Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions. Thrive in your own way. We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
- Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
- Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular big-brand retailers
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
- Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
- Sodexo UK and Ireland's enhanced benefits and leave policies
A little more 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, SoTogether, 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.
Ready to be part of something greater? For careers that mean business. Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.
Chef Manager in Manchester employer: Sodexo Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend local food events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or cooking demonstration to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around service excellence and compliance. We want to see your passion for food and leadership shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly 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 our team at Sodexo. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and service shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary creativity and how you’ve inspired teams in the past.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed staff to achieve high operational standards.
Be Financially Savvy: Since financial control is key in this role, don’t forget to mention your budgeting and cost-management skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed finances in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We want to hear from you! Make sure to apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Ltd
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience managing a kitchen, including specific dishes you've created or events you've catered. This shows your passion for food and service excellence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and motivated a team in the past. Think about times when you’ve trained staff or improved team performance. Highlighting your people leadership skills will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand Financial Management
Since financial acumen is key for this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with budgeting and cost management. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen costs or improved financial performance in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Compliance Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to the catering industry. Be ready to talk about how you've ensured compliance in your previous positions, as this is crucial for maintaining high standards in food safety and hygiene.
