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- Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious, nutritious meals while managing the catering operation.
- Company: Join a passionate school catering company dedicated to high-quality food and community spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, Monday to Friday hours, and a commitment to work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in school kitchens and foster pride in culinary excellence.
- Qualifications: Culinary experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for fresh ingredients.
- Other info: Access to training and development opportunities in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36800 - 61200 £ per year.
As Chef Manager, you will be the point of leadership for your site. This pivotal role demands culinary mastery combined with sharp business acumen. You will place emphasis on delivering the highest quality food and service, leveraging your creative flair, originality, and leadership to make a significant stir in the school catering industry.
Role Responsibility
- Financial Command (P&L): Assume full control of the catering operation, including managing and improving all controllable costs (stock, food, and labour) to ensure maximum profitability.
- Culinary & Menu Excellence: Lead the preparation of delicious, nutritious, high-quality meals utilising our fresh and sustainable ingredients. Oversee and guide continuous menu development.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and motivate all staff, setting a positive tone and guaranteeing a consistently fantastic dining experience for students and staff in line with company standards. Provide outstanding support and guidance to ensure team success.
- Commercial Growth: Actively drive sales and revenue growth through the implementation of effective monthly promotions and added-value events.
- Compliance & Audit: Ensure full compliance with all company systems, procedures, and relevant legislation. Conduct regular operational audits to verify standards are consistently met.
- Client Relations: Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with both clients and customers, acting as the primary representative for Stir on site.
The Ideal Candidate
- We are seeking a proactive leader who balances culinary passion with demonstrated business capability.
- Strong working financial understanding of gross profit management and a track record of achieving demanding sales targets.
- A natural, positive leader with proven experience in managing a team and fostering exceptional teamwork.
- Extensive craft-based experience using fresh ingredients.
- Strong knowledge of all current Health and Safety practices within a professional kitchen environment.
- Possession of an OND or HND Qualification is preferred, but not essential.
Package Description
- At Stir, we give our teams the time, freedom, and tools they need to feel pride in their work every single day!
- You’ll also benefit from a true commitment to work-life balance: Monday to Friday working only—say goodbye to all weekend shifts!
- 30 hours working with no late nights.
- 38 working weeks per year, structured around the term-time calendar (maximising time with family and friends!).
- £17.70 per hour.
- Join a fast-growing, ambitious company dedicated to supporting your long-term career development.
- Access to our dedicated Learning & Development team for apprenticeships and advanced training courses available to all staff.
Crucial Note: We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. This role requires a mandatory enhanced DBS disclosure. Due to high demand for this key position, the role may be filled before the official closing date.
About the Company
We’re a specialised school catering company with a deep passion for high-quality food, dedicated to fostering a community spirit and driving a mission to instil pride back into school kitchens across the UK. Our success is powered by an exceptional and highly valued team. We boast a diverse range of experts, skills, and abilities, all united by our common goal of creating a significant impact and stirring innovation within education catering. We are committed to maintaining uncompromisingly high standards—both in the culinary excellence of the food we serve and in the professional management and safety of our kitchen environments. This commitment is supported by our dedicated team and reinforced through regular support and targeted training, ensuring our on-site teams possess the precise skills needed to deliver the performance we expect. We actively seek individuals with creative initiative and growth ambition. We offer exciting opportunities designed to attract strategic thinkers and bold movers ready to advance their careers with us. If this vision resonates with you, we encourage you to connect with our team.
Chef Manager in Kettering employer: Stirfood
Contact Detail:
Stirfood Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Kettering
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Stir's values, mission, and recent projects. This way, when you chat with us, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what we do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you an edge and might even lead to a referral—who doesn’t love a good insider tip?
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions and showcasing your culinary skills. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership style and financial savvy in real-life scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in school catering.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Kettering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Culinary Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and any creative dishes you've crafted. We want to see that spark of originality that can make a difference in our school kitchens.
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 others and created a positive work environment. We’re all about teamwork here at Stir, and we want to know how you can contribute to that spirit!
Demonstrate Financial Savvy: Since managing costs is key to this role, don’t forget to mention your financial understanding. Include any relevant experiences where you've successfully managed budgets or improved profitability. We need someone who can keep our catering operation thriving!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll get to see more about our company culture and values. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stirfood
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience with fresh ingredients. Be prepared to share specific examples of menu items you've created or improved, showcasing your creativity and mastery in the kitchen.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Think of instances where you've motivated staff or resolved conflicts. Highlight your leadership style and how you foster teamwork to create a positive dining experience.
✨Understand Financials
Get familiar with financial management concepts like P&L and gross profit. Be ready to discuss how you've managed costs in previous roles and any strategies you've implemented to drive profitability in a catering environment.
✨Engage with Client Relations
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with clients and customers. Prepare to talk about how you've handled client feedback or improved customer satisfaction in past positions, as this will be key in your role at Stir.