Top Job Chef Manager
Chef Manager – Phoenix Academy
Location: Phoenix Academy
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Hours: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM (45 hours/week)
Working Weeks: 42 weeks/year (term time, inset days + 3 additional weeks)
Salary: £32,000 – £35,000 per annum
Bonus: Up to 10% of salary (company discretion)
Benefits: Free meals during shifts, full IFG uniform, pension plan, and access to a range of IFG benefits
Closing Date: 30th October 2025
Reference Code: CCMPHEO1709
| Job Title | Chef Manager |
|---|
| Location | Phoenix Academy |
| Employer | IFG (Impact Food Group) |
| Working Days | Monday to Friday |
| Working Hours | 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM (45 hours per week) |
| Working Weeks | 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days, plus 3 additional working weeks) |
| Salary Range | £32,000 – £35,000 per year |
| Bonus Scheme | Up to 10% of salary, dependent on company discretion and performance |
| Start Date | As soon as possible (subject to notice period and clearances) |
| Apply Link Apply here |
About the Role as Chef Manager
We are now looking for an enthusiastic seasoned, and well-organized Chef Manager to manage our kitchen staff at Phoenix Academy, a welcoming and successful school dedicated to delivering a caring and stimulating learning experience for pupils. It is an excellent chance for a motivated culinary expert who would like to own a kitchen operation while making a difference in a school environment.
The Chef Manager will be responsible for the entirety of the catering service – from menu planning and food preparation to staff management and adherence to health and safety codes. You will be a key player in serving healthy, tasty, and well-balanced meals that contribute to students’ health and academic outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Day-to-day kitchen management, including preparation and cooking of meals to a consistently high standard.
- Supervision and leadership of the catering team, ensuring that all staff are motivated, trained, and adhering to operational standards.
- Menu planning in line with school food standards, dietary requirements, and seasonal ingredients.
- Stock control, ordering, and budgeting, ensuring cost-effective operations with minimal waste.
- Health and safety compliance, including food hygiene, allergen control, and adherence to all relevant regulations.Key Duties
- Day-to-day running of the kitchen, preparing and cooking meals to a high quality standard on a daily basis.
- Management and leadership of the catering team, ensuring all staff are motivated and trained and meeting operational standards.
- Menu planning in accordance with school meals standards, special dietary needs, and seasonal produce.
- Stock management, ordering, and budgeting for cost-effective operations with minimal wastage.
- Health and safety standards, food hygiene, control of allergens, and compliance with all applicable legislation.
- Customer service excellence, providing good dining experiences for school staff, students, and visitors.
- Establishing good relations with school staff, pupils, and the broader school community.
- Occasional catering for school events (e.g., parents’ evenings, school fairs).
- Customer service excellence, ensuring positive dining experiences for students, staff, and visitors.
- Building positive relationships with school staff, students, and the wider school community.
- Participation in occasional catering for school events (e.g., parents’ evenings, school fairs).
What We’re Looking For
We want someone with a passion for service and food, as well as a strong leadership and organizational ability. The successful candidate will be proactive, practical, and have the ability to maintain a high level of food production alongside team management and effective kitchen functioning.
Essential Criteria:
Demonstrated experience in a comparable Head Chef position, preferably within a school or contract catering sector.
Excellent leadership capabilities with the capability to manage and inspire a small team.
Level 2 or 3 Food Safety and Hygiene qualification (or willing to undertake).
An understanding of food allergens, nutrition, and dietary needs.
Experience of budgeting and stock control.
Independent working ability and effective time management.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
A positive, can-do attitude and enthusiasm for providing healthy, delicious food to young people
Why Join IFG and Phoenix Academy?
At IFG, we’re not just a catering firm – we’re committed to contributing to education and student wellbeing through fantastic food. Joining our team means you’ll get the chance to be innovative, manage your own kitchen, and professionally develop.
We offer:
Meals on shift for free – we look after our team.
Company pension and a range of IFG employee benefits.
IFG uniform in full and on-site assistance.
Opportunities for career development and training within the IFG Group.
An opportunity to contribute positively to students’ lives by encouraging healthy eating and good nutrition.
Working Hours & Holidays
- 45 hours a week, Monday to Friday (6:30 AM – 4:00 PM), with a good work-life balance and no late nights or weekend work.
- You will work during school term time, inset days, and three other weeks, making 42 weeks of work per year – plenty of time for rest and personal time over school holidays.
How to Apply
If you’re ready to progress in your culinary management career and want to join a values-based team that places people and purpose at the forefront of everything, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now quoting reference: CCMPHEO1709
Closing date for application: 30th October 2025
IFG is an equal opportunity employer. We are a diverse organization and strive to create an inclusive workplace for all staff.
