Head Chef

Job Introduction

Sodexo are currently recruiting for brand new opportunities in our Corporate Services segment. Sodexo is the 19^th largest employer worldwide, operating in 80 countries and employing 427,000 employees worldwide, we are the leader in Quality of Life services. Sodexo is not only a growth company; it is also a people-oriented company that places quality of life of its 100 million consumers at the center of its mission. Join our teams and experience their passion and the unique Sodexo spirit!

This is a great opportunity for an individual to join us as Head Chef in Milton Keynes at a professional client site in the city centre. The Head Chef will produce all catering services at the required times to the company’s standards, within the agreed specification, performance, qualitative and financial targets. As Head Chef you will take responsibility for the unit in the absence of the General Manager.

Reporting into the General Manager, the Head Chef will have the ability to enhance and grow the service provided on site to our client. This is a Monday to Friday role and would attract a salary of £26,000 to £28,500 dependant on experience.

If you would like more information to understand what it is like to work for Sodexo and a career in Corporate Services, please follow the link below;

Careers within Corporate Clients

Role Responsibility

• Ensure the prompt provision and efficient service of all meals and catering requirements at the specified time to the standards laid down in the KPI's.
• Ensure that the Company’s accountancy documentation and administration procedures are carried out to the Sodexo Way Compliance Standards and that the necessary weekly & monthly returns are completed accurately and transmitted at the appointed time or despatched manually.
• Ensure that all costs and expenditure are within the budgeted levels agreed between the Client and Sodexo.  Control all costs such as labour, expenses, cash purchases as agreed with your line manager.
• Ensure tariff prices are correct, that all services are costed and charged according to the terms of the contract.
• Maintain levels of stock, cash, local credit and debt outstanding to the agreed establishment targets.
• Ensure that methods of preparation, production and presentation comply with Sodexo’s standards and procedures.
• Obtain purchases from Sodexo nominated suppliers.
• Comply with all relevant sections of the Quality Assurance Audit and to complete routine audits at a frequency as indicated in the “Unit Activity Calendar”.
• Comply with all Company & Client policies, site rules and statutory regulations relating to Health & Safety, safe working practices, hygiene, cleanliness, fire and COSHH. This will include your awareness of any specific hazards in your work place and training of staff.
• Ensure that all equipment used, is in safe working order, checked regularly and serviced.  Report any faults to management/client, ensure they are rectified and ensure equipment is not used until safe.
• Ensure that all equipment, monies and the overall establishment, is safe and secure at all times
• Ensure the standards across the site(s) are in accordance with the Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators specified in the service contract
• To take adequate steps to ensure the security of Company and Client property and monies under your control.
• Compile and agree an annual business plan with your line manager, and to be responsible for achieving all actions
• Maintain excellent client relationships and communicate with the day to day client at every opportunity - holding at least a weekly review meeting.
• Initiate a process of continuous improvement by undertaking company promotions and extraordinary merchandising initiatives to ensure the profitable growth of the contract.
• Ensure that all written communication represents a professional image to customers, clients and staff.
• Actively seek and identify opportunities for business growth both within the contract and the external market.
• Maximise profitable sales by the introduction and maintenance of food service brands to the standard required by the Company.
• Action customer compliments by praising staff and resolve complaints satisfactorily, referring to your line manager where necessary.
• Attend to and take all necessary action, statutory or otherwise, in the event of incidents or accident, fire, theft, loss, damage, unfit food, or other irregularities and take such action as may be appropriate.
• Comply with any reasonable instruction from your line manager within the agreed deadline.
• Comply with all Sodexo Company policies/procedures and client site rules and regulations.

People

• Recruit, manage, induct, train, motivate and appraise staff to promote good employee relations and operate within Company procedures, legislation and the Investors in People standards.  (Staff appraisals to be conducted at least annually). Maintain training records for all staff, ensuring that individual needs are recognised and met either through on or off job training.
• Ensure that all Sodexo employees project a positive, approachable, friendly and professional image.
• Hold monthly team briefing meetings using the Company Team Brief format. 
• To attend an annual PDR with your Line Manager and to agree and take ownership of your PDR and your training and development needs.
• Attend Company Training Courses and District Meetings as requested.
• Plan and control holidays within the operation to 'self-cover' where practicable.

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience in managing and leading a kitchen team
• Industry acumen and knowledge of external catering developments & innovations
• Strong financial understanding and demonstrable budgeting management
• Experienced in adhering to and driving company initiatives
• Personal innovation and passion
• Demonstrative customer focus and service skills
• Strong communication, and negotiation skills
• Experience working in a standards /compliance environment
• Relevant qualification and training

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process