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Chef Manager
Chef Manager - FTC (12 Month Contract)
Location
Sevenoaks Preparatory School - Sevenoaks TN15 0JU
Contract Type
Term-time - 38 working weeks per annum
Salary
£35,500 per annum
Why Join Us?
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development through apprenticeships for all experience levels
About the Role
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Chef Manager to lead the kitchen team at Sevenoaks Preparatory School. You will be responsible for managing day-to-day kitchen operations, delivering fresh, high-quality meals, and ensuring exceptional food service for pupils, staff, and visitors.
You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
Core Mission:
The safety and wellbeing of the people we serve is at the heart of everything we do.
- Effective allergen management is achieved through training, communication, and care
- We create mealtimes where every pupil has a safe experience
- Our mission is simple: to provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their job
- Exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients
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This position is currently a 12-month fixed-term contract. During the interview stage, we will explain the circumstances.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
- Manage and support a small kitchen team, fostering a positive working environment
- Oversee menu planning, stock control, and supplier relationships
- Maintain accurate financial records including budgets, ordering, and stock rotation
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
- Work collaboratively with the school community to provide a friendly and efficient catering experience
- Accountability for following and championing allergen controls
Qualifications & Candidate Profile
- Previous experience as a Chef Manager or similar role within contract catering, ideally the Independent Education sector
- Strong kitchen management and leadership skills
- Passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create balanced, appealing menus
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- Knowledge of food safety standards, allergen management, and sustainability best practices
Organisation Principles
We pride ourselves on:
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People first A company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
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Great food, always Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
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Food education We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes, making informed food choices.
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Respect in everything we do Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards clients, customers, suppliers, business partners, and each other.
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Fresh thinking New ideas for food, service, and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
Additional Information
- Right to Work in the UK: All candidates must be able to demonstrate proof of this before being considered.
- Equal Opportunities Employer: Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer.
Commitment to Safeguarding:
- All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check, will be required for successful applicants
- Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information
- This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
- It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for these roles.
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