Head Chef / Catering Manager

Location: Healthcare Site

Salary: £39,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Shift Pattern: 5 days out of 7, 7:00am to 2:30pm - Alternate Weekends

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef / Catering Manager to lead the catering operation at a busy healthcare site. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual who takes pride in delivering high-quality meals while managing a professional kitchen team and ensuring compliance with all food safety and health & safety regulations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the catering service, from menu planning and budget management to staff supervision and maintaining exceptional hygiene standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook nutritious, high-quality meals to the highest standards.
• Develop and manage a minimum four-week menu cycle.
• Manage catering budgets, including food, equipment, and staffing costs.
• Order, receive, store, and control food stock within budget requirements.
• Ensure compliance with the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated regulations, maintaining the highest hygiene standards.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation, COSHH regulations, and site policies.
• Produce and manage kitchen staff rotas, ensuring appropriate staffing levels at all times.
• Supervise, support, and develop kitchen staff, including performance management and welfare.
• Authorise annual leave requests whilst maintaining service levels.
• Identify training and development needs and support team members with professional development plans.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records and monitoring documentation for internal and external inspections.
• Inspect kitchen facilities and equipment, reporting faults and ensuring timely repairs.
• Monitor the security and condition of catering equipment.
• Plan and deliver special catering events, functions, and community activities as required.
• Prepare budget recommendations and forecasts for future catering requirements.
• Support capital expenditure projects through the preparation of business cases and requisition documentation.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in a similar Head Chef, Catering Manager or Senior Chef position.
• 706/1 & 706/2 Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent).
• Experience managing food suppliers and external contractors.
• Proven experience leading, supervising, and motivating staff.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A caring, professional, and values-led approach to working with colleagues, residents, service users, and families.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word and email.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and provide clear direction to team members.
• Experience managing budgets and stock control.
• Ability to work independently and adopt a flexible approach to work.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about food quality, committed to maintaining excellent standards, and capable of leading a team in a healthcare environment. You'll be proactive, organised, and dedicated to delivering an outstanding catering service that enhances the wellbeing and experience of those who use our services.

Salary: £39,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: 5 days from 7, 7:00am to 2.30pm - Alternate Weekends

Apply today to join a team where your leadership, culinary expertise, and commitment to excellence will make a real difference.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.