Chef Manager

Job title: Chef Manager

Location: Dartford (must drive and have own transport due to location)

Salary: Competitive

Hours: Monday to Thursday 7.30am - 3.30pm & Friday 7.00am - 1.00pm

The role:

We are seeking a hands-on and forward-thinking Chef Manager to lead the daily food service in our client's busy staff restaurant. This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality, modern food offerings while managing a small team, controlling costs and improving service standards.

Benefits:

• 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare Cash Back Scheme
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Subsidised canteen food
• Free parking on site
• Eye care vouchers
• Subsidised local bus pass
• Christmas shut down (taken from holiday allowance)
• Food raffles at Christmas & Easter
• Monthly pay
• Discretional objectives bonus

Key responsibilities would be:

• Actively develop and refresh menus to improve variety and appeal.
• Lead, mentor and motivate a small catering team.
• Train and develop new staff and temporary workers.
• Plan, prepare, cook and present high-quality breakfast and lunch service.
• Provide alternative options such as vegan, gluten, lactose etc.
• Produce grab-and-go items including sandwiches, wraps and pastries.
• Introduce seasonal, themed and event-based menus aligned with wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation and service standards.
• Take customer orders, serve food and operate tills when required.
• Oversee all aspects of food service within the staff restaurant.
• Manage food ordering, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Make purchasing decisions within budget guidelines.
• Monitor and reduce food waste and improve cost efficiency.
• Analyse sales trends, waste and performance data to support decision-making.
• Maintain strong awareness of cost control and commercial performance.
• Work closely with suppliers and challenge where needed to improve value and quality.
• Use catering systems to review sales, waste and performance data.
• Maintain accurate HACCP documentation and complete audits as required.
• Carry out regular quality, temperature and compliance checks.
• Ensure full adherence to food hygiene, allergen labelling and health & safety standards.
• Maintain clean, safe and hygienic food preparation and service areas.
• Gather and act on customer feedback to improve food offerings.
• Handle customer queries and complaints professionally.
• Greet and liaise with contractors and stakeholders as required.
• Promote a positive food culture aligned with wellbeing strategy.

Who we're looking for:

• Passionate about food innovation and menu development.
• Interested in modern and healthy food trends.
• Confident challenging traditional canteen offerings.
• Focused on reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Able to balance quality with affordability.
• Able to use sales and waste data to influence decisions.
• Enjoys interacting with staff and gathering feedback.
• Treats the kitchen as a small business within a business.
• Thinks commercially about suppliers, pricing and value.

Experience and skills required:

• A Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
• NVQ Level 2 in Hospitality or Catering - desirable
• Experience in contract catering (manufacturing, education, healthcare)
• Experience in a catering management role with responsibility for supervising others.
• Holds working knowledge of allergen labelling requirements.
• Effective planning of menus and utilisation of produce experience.
• Skilled in menu development and improvement initiatives.
• Basic experience of MS Office and digital catering or POS systems.

Next steps:

If this sounds like the ideal position for you and you have the experience outlined above, then please apply and you will be contacted by a member of our team if your CV matches our requirements.

If you would like any further information before applying, then please call Ellie - Permanent Consultant on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)

New Appointments Group, Expertly Matching Employers and Jobseekers since 1975.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in line with the Equality Act 2010. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. New Appointments Group acts as an Employment Agency for permanent roles and as an Employment Business for temporary roles.