The University of Manchester
Sous Chef [Central Production Kitchen]
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About The Role
HospitalityOnCampus is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic Sous Chef to support the delivery of high-quality hospitality, events and dining services across the University campus.
This vital role will help manage and lead the main Central Production Kitchen on a day-to-day basis, overseeing food preparation, production and service for a varied programme of catered conferencing, events, lunches, dinners, banqueting, weddings and other food-led operations across the department.
Working with the Executive Head and Head Chef, the post holder will provide operational leadership within the kitchen, guiding and motivating colleagues to achieve excellent standards of food provision, presentation, food safety and customer service. The successful candidate will play a key role in creating a vibrant food culture, supporting menu planning, menu costing and continuous innovation across HospitalityOnCampus.
The role includes responsibility for supporting event delivery across multiple University venues, including large-scale dinners, weddings and conference activity, and working closely with front-of-house colleagues to ensure food is delivered safely, consistently and to agreed standards.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate food production management skills gained within a similar environment, strong professional cookery experience, excellent communication skills and a positive, flexible approach to working within a busy, varied and pressurised hospitality operation.
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This role offers an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic and expanding operation, working across some of the University's most prestigious events and venues.
About You
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Level 3 (formerly Intermediate) Food Hygiene qualification.
- Professional cookery qualifications to a minimum of City and Guilds 706/2, or equivalent.
- Food production management skills gained within a similar environment, scope and scale.
- Working knowledge of operational compliance for Health and Safety regulations relating to catering operations, including up-to-date Food Safety and Allergen Management.
- Ability to work flexibly across weekdays, weekends and evenings to meet the requirements of events services across multiple locations.
- Ability to support menu planning, costing and development to the standards required within University catering services.
- Understanding of stock control, cost control and administration associated with purchasing and goods receipt.
- Good IT skills and understanding of relevant systems and processes.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including effective communication with colleagues for whom English may not be their first language.
- Influencing and leadership skills to advise, guide and support kitchen colleagues and reporting staff.
- Demonstrable knowledge and skills of customer service excellence, including customer liaison within a comparable environment.
- Ability to conduct effective individual meetings, reviews and routine follow-ups.
- Evidence of accountability, initiative and the ability to manage and prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
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University Catering
Catering at the University encompasses a broad and diverse range of business areas – including retail outlets, catered halls, student bars, conferencing, events and hospitality. There are many benefits to working at the University:
- 34 days holiday, including Christmas and New Year
- Generous pension scheme with generous employer contribution
- A strong commitment to personal and career development, as well as wellbeing and mental health support
- Annual salary review
To find out more about staff benefits and working within catering at the University, visit our catering staff website: www.umc-limited.co.uk
Enquiries
For enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Eddie MaKuwaza – Executive Head Chef: eddie.makuwaza@manchester.ac.uk
General Enquiries: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
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