Chef Manager - Education Catering

Chef Manager Independent School Catering (Term Time Only), Tunbridge Wells, Kent, up to £45,000

Please make an application promptly if you are a good match for this role due to high levels of interest.

Are you a talented Head Chef ready to take the next step into management, or an experienced Chef Manager looking for a better work-life balance?
We are recruiting on behalf of a prestigious independent secondary school near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead a busy and successful catering operation.
This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a high-quality food offering across core dining, hospitality, and school events, with a strong focus on fresh food and exceptional service standards - all within a term time only position, offering an excellent work-life balance.

The Role
As Chef Manager, you will be fully responsible for the day-to-day running of the catering operation, leading both front and back of house teams while ensuring high standards across all areas.
Key responsibilities include:
Managing the daily catering operation across the school site
Leading, motivating, and developing a large FOH and BOH team
Building strong relationships with senior leadership, staff, pupils, and parents
Managing budgets, forecasting, P&L, and financial reporting
Menu planning, including dietary and allergen management
Maintaining exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards
Overseeing hospitality and event catering functions

About You
We are looking for someone who is:
An experienced Chef Manager, Catering Manager, or a strong Head Chef ready for progression
Experienced within education catering or B&I catering environments
A confident leader xwzovoh with excellent people management skills
Passionate about fresh food and high culinary standards
Highly organised with strong attention to detail
An excellent communicator who can engage with pupils, staff, and stakeholders
Flexible, proactive, and positive in approach

Additional Information
Term time only position
40 hours per week
Working pattern: 5 days out of 7
Competitive salary up to £45,000
DBS check required for the successful candidate

Interested and keen to apply? Then wed love to hear from you

IND7