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Head Chef
Head Chef – Contract Catering
About the Role
Working Pattern
Regular shifts operate Monday to Friday, with the following options (on rotation):
- 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Evening and Sunday Overtime Available
- Evening overtime paid at 1.5x hourly rate
- Sunday overtime paid at double time
Key Responsibilities
As Head Chef, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring high-quality dining experiences whilst managing a busy team. Core duties include:
-
Menu Development & Compliance
- Create and update menus reflecting seasonal ingredients, local sourcing, and client-specific requirements
-
Team Leadership & Conflict Resolution
- Oversee the kitchen staff, providing guidance, training, and resolving interpersonal conflicts
-
Inventory & Supply Management
- Ensure the kitchen is adequately stocked with fresh ingredients and essentials
- Replace dishes if key ingredients are unavailable
-
Quality & Compliance Assurance
- Maintain culinary excellence in dish preparation and presentation
- Uphold legal and company policies, ensuring food safety, budget control, and cost management
-
Hygiene & Standards
- Keep the kitchen in a clean, safe, and hygienic state, adhering to legal and company regulations
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What We’re Looking For
Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience in food production and catering within contract catering
- Proven team management skills within the contract catering sector
- Qualification: Level 3 in Catering & Hospitality (or equivalent) + industry-leading experience
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and motivation abilities for kitchen teams
- Excellent client and staff relationship management, ensuring client expectations are consistently met
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, adaptable work environment
Desirable Qualities
- Right to Work in the UK (mandatory)
- Financial acumen (budgeting, cost control, and financial decision-making)
- Exceptional customer service skills (essential)
- Practical problem-solving in varied, high-pressure scenarios
- Polished verbal and written communication capabilities
- Strong time management, organisation, and MS Office (especially Excel) proficiency
About OCS UK & Ireland
As a leading facilities management company, we support 50,000+ colleagues across UK & Ireland, delivering innovative services in facilities, cleaning, security, and catering with a £2bn+ turnover.
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Our commitment: To empower people and places through TRUE values – Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment—driving excellence in every service we provide.
Why Work for OCS?
🏆 Award-Winning Employer
- Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025
- We value and invest in colleague development
🚀 Grow with Digital Learning
- Access the OCS Academy’s digital courses to build skills and ascend your career
🙂 Gamified Wellbeing
- Hapi App: Enjoy exclusive discounts, rewards, and wellbeing resources
📚 Professional Growth Opportunities
- 500+ live learners developing skills weekly
- Focus on upskilling, certifications, and career progression
💰 Flexible Financial Support
- Wagestream App: Access earned wage advances before payday (contract-dependent)
How to Apply
Join a company that prioritises career growth, inspiration, and diversity!
- Click “Apply” today to share your interest.
- Sign up for job alerts to stay updated on future openings.
We’re an equal opportunities employer—we celebrate diversity and ensure an inclusive workplace for all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or age.
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Jessica, London
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