Head Chef - Leeds - Contract Catering - £40k - £45k

Head Chef – Contract Catering

Leeds | Full-Time

37 Hour Weeks

£40k

Why Join ?

• Senior Head Chef position within a major food operation
• 38 Days holiday per year + Bank Holidays
• Handshake week off at Christmas
• Lead food production across two main sites & 7 small cafe venues
• Manage a varied operation covering retail, events and delivered catering
• Opportunity to develop menus, concepts and recipes
• Lead, train and develop a team of chefs and food production staff
• Work closely with senior management on food strategy and innovation
• Opportunity to influence the quality, sustainability and value of the food offer
• Develop supplier relationships and product ranges
• Strong focus on professional development and keeping ahead of food trends

About My Client

My client operates a large and diverse food service, providing food and hospitality across multiple outlets, events and delivered services.

The operation serves a broad customer base and offers the successful Head Chef the opportunity to work across retail catering, events, hospitality and food production, rather than being limited to a single kitchen or outlet.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced contract catering or hospitality chef who enjoys leading teams, developing food concepts and having a genuine influence over a large-scale food operation.

The Role

As Head Chef, you'll take operational responsibility for the food production operation across both campuses, working closely with the Food Services Manager to deliver a consistent, high-quality and commercially successful food offer.

You'll lead the kitchen teams, oversee food safety and production standards, manage costs and stock, and contribute to the ongoing development of menus and concepts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily preparation, production and service of food across the venues
• Manage and motivate chefs and food production staff
• Develop menus, recipes and new food concepts
• Support retail, events and delivered catering
• Manage food costs, GP, portion control, stock and waste
• Oversee food purchasing and supplier relationships
• Ensure recipes, allergen information and menu pricing remain accurate
• Maintain excellent Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety standards
• Ensure teams are appropriately trained and compliant
• Monitor operational KPIs and take action where required
• Encourage innovation and continually improve the food offer
• Deputise for the Food Services Manager when required

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced Head Chef or senior kitchen professional with strong leadership and commercial awareness.

You'll ideally have:

• Minimum 2 years' experience within Contract Catering
• Recognised culinary qualification or equivalent professional experience
• Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification
• Minimum HACCP Level 2
• Strong knowledge of hospitality and food production
• Experience of menu development and design
• Experience catering for a broad range of customers and events
• Good understanding of budgets, GP and cost control
• Proven ability to manage, motivate and develop teams
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• A creative approach to food development and innovation
• High standards of food safety, hygiene and compliance

The Opportunity

This is more than a traditional kitchen management role. You'll have the opportunity to shape the food offer across a significant catering operation, develop your team and work across a varied mix of retail, hospitality, events and delivered catering.

For an ambitious Head Chef looking to move into a larger-scale contract catering environment, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact.