Gather + Gather
Head Chef
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel. It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy, motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together.
We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional.
Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday. Come and join our award-winning teams – we are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our team.
Location: Oxford Brookes University
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Shift Pattern: 5 over 7, 40 hours per week
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring high food quality, presentation, and service standards.
- Work with the Executive Chef on seasonal menus and hospitality delivery.
- Oversee food preparation and service for up to 1,500 covers per day across retail and hospitality outlets.
- Ensure food is fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced where possible.
- Manage stock ordering, stock control, and supplier quality.
- Lead and develop a team of 14, including 2 x Sous, 4 x CDP, 3 x Prep chefs, 4 x KPs, 1 x storeman.
- Deliver daily briefings, training, coaching, and performance management.
- Support recruitment, induction, attendance management, and team development.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Reporting to: Executive Chef
Food Safety & Compliance
- Lead all food safety, health & safety, and compliance processes across the kitchen.
Financial Management
- Control food costs through effective purchasing, menu planning, and waste reduction.
- Complete weekly and monthly stock takes and maintain accurate records.
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the university.
- Work closely with clients and operational teams to deliver an excellent catering and hospitality experience.
About You
- Previous contract catering experience is essential.
- Proven experience managing large kitchen teams in a high-volume environment.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety, stock control, and kitchen operations.
- Experience delivering both retail catering and hospitality services.
- Excellent leadership, organisation, and stakeholder management skills.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What's in it for you?
Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location