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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create amazing food experiences for students.
- Company: Aspens Services, a top contract caterer in school food.
- Benefits: Great work-life balance with no late nights or weekends.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young minds through exceptional food.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for quality food.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and professional development.
About Us
Aspens Services is a market‑leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don’t just serve meals – we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.
The Role
We’re seeking an ambitious Chef Manager, ready to take full operational and financial responsibility for your school's catering facility. This role goes beyond the kitchen – it requires a visionary leader with the flair and originality to consistently deliver the highest quality food and service, elevating the dining experience and establishing this as one of the best school catering offers in the region.
Your Responsibilities Will Include:
- Financial Control: Managing and improving all controllable costs, including stock, food and labour.
- Team Leadership: Lead, coach, train and inspire your kitchen team to deliver excellence every day.
- Culinary Innovation: Oversee menu development and drive sales through exciting monthly promotions and added‑value events.
- Quality Assurance: Guarantee all standards, systems and essential legislation are met through regular audits and proactive management.
About You
We’re looking for a passionate leader who is ready to drive excellence and profitability. If you’re hungry for a role where you can fully own the operation, you’ll need:
- A strong understanding of Gross Profit (GP) management and the strategic know‑how to smash sales targets.
- Fantastic craft skills with a genuine commitment to using fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional quality food.
- Proven experience in line management – you know how to coach, motivate and inspire to develop a high‑performing team.
- Excellent knowledge of health and safety practices.
- A qualification like OND/HND is a bonus, but your on‑the‑job experience is what we’re truly after.
Why Join the Aspens Family?
- Great Work‑Life Balance – You’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time – that means no late nights, no weekends and no working at Christmas!
- 30 hours per week 38 weeks per year – what will you do with all that time off?
- £15 per hour
- Career Growth And Development – Join a fast‑growing, ambitious company. We have no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering. Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.
Please note: All staff must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. The company will seek an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Ready to start a rewarding career with amazing hours? Apply today!
Chef Manager in Northampton employer: Wes Rice: Development + Design
Contact Detail:
Wes Rice: Development + Design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary flair! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes or menu ideas. This will not only showcase your skills but also demonstrate your passion for creating fantastic food experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest food trends and how they apply to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you can elevate the dining experience and drive sales through innovative menu development.
✨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 are proactive and eager to join the Aspens family.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food and leadership shine through. We want to see how excited you are about creating fantastic food experiences and leading a team to success!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Chef Manager role. Highlight your experience in financial control, team leadership, and culinary innovation. We love seeing how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Be Specific: Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your achievements. Whether it’s smashing sales targets or developing a new menu, we want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wes Rice: Development + Design
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial control. Brush up on Gross Profit management and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed costs in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how you’ve smashed sales targets through effective budgeting.
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
This role is all about culinary innovation, so come prepared with ideas! Think about exciting menu concepts or promotions you've implemented before. Share how you’ve used fresh ingredients to create exceptional dishes that not only taste great but also appeal to young minds.
✨Leadership is Key
You’ll be leading a team, so highlight your experience in coaching and motivating others. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your leadership style and how you’ve inspired your kitchen team to deliver excellence consistently. Remember, they want to see your passion for developing high-performing teams!
✨Health and Safety Know-How
Make sure you’re up to speed on health and safety practices. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and any audits you've conducted. This shows you take quality assurance seriously and are committed to maintaining high standards.
