Chef Manger

As Chef Manager for Sodexo at Badbury Park Primary School, you will oversee all aspects of the food and beverage operations as well as the finances for the school’s kitchen. You will be responsible for ensuring that the food and level of service are of the highest calibre and that the catering is among the best in the region. Your attitude will influence your team’s daily experience as the person they look to for guidance and support, helping to foster a positive, vibrant, and productive working environment.

A successful Chef Manager must be able to plan, prepare, and deliver high‑quality, nutritious meals at scale, ensuring menus meet School Food Standards while catering for allergens, dietary, cultural, and special requirements. You will bring strong leadership and team management skills, including supervising staff, organising rotas, training team members, and maintaining high performance in a busy kitchen environment. The role also requires solid experience in budget management, stock control, ordering, and waste reduction, ensuring cost‑effective operations without compromising quality.

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 staff, visitors and students.
• Manage the creation and development of menus.
• Conduct routine audits to ensure standards are being followed.

What you bring:

• Expertise in cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 – 1300 students.
• Experience following recipes, possibly in a similar setting.
• Previous staff supervision or line management experience.
• Experience working with fresh produce and ingredients.
• Awareness of the importance of adhering to health and safety procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines in a busy kitchen environment.
• Professional conduct, leading by example, and a positive outlook.
• Hold basic food handling skills certification: NVQ Level 2, Level 2 Food safety Certificate.
• Minimum 1 year of hands‑on cooking, training on Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety experience.

What we offer:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme for everyday or larger issues, including legal and financial advice.
• Free health and wellbeing app with 24hr virtual GP and other services.
• Access to the Sodexo Discounts Scheme, including prepayment cashback card.
• Money insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Membership of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
• Death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
• Learning and development tools for career growth.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Volunteering opportunities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment.
• Competitive compensation.
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Package Description:

£ per hour XX hours per week. Working pattern: Term Time only (39‑week working contract paid over 52 weeks). Equated pay means you get paid equal amounts each month, covering contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.

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 applications.