Head Chef Manager

Head Chef Manager

Location: Marlow

Salary: £35,000–£42,000 depending on experience

Job Type: Permanent

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00am–4:30pm

We’re looking for an experienced and hands-on Head Chef Manager to join a busy catering operation in Marlow. This is a great opportunity for someone who loves food and enjoys leading a small team, but is looking for consistent Monday-to-Friday daytime hours without the usual late nights and regular weekends. You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day operation, combining hands-on cooking with team leadership, menu planning, stock control and maintaining excellent food safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities of the Head Chef Manager:

• Lead and organise a small catering team throughout the working day

• Prepare and oversee a varied breakfast and lunch food offering

• Plan practical and appealing weekly menus

• Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and customer service

• Manage stock levels, ordering, deliveries and supplier requirements

• Monitor portion control, food costs and waste

• Ensure high standards of food safety, hygiene and allergen control

• Maintain accurate food safety and compliance records

• Train and support team members to maintain consistent standards

• Review customer feedback and sales to help develop the food offering

• Provide hands-on cooking and service support during busy periods

• Help identify ways to improve efficiency, quality and commercial performance

Key Requirements of the Head Chef Manager:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager, Catering Manager or similar

• Strong hands-on cooking and food preparation experience

• Previous experience leading or supervising a small team

• Good knowledge of food safety, hygiene and allergen procedures

• Experience managing stock, ordering and food waste

• Confident planning menus and controlling food costs

• Organised with good attention to detail

• Friendly and confident with strong communication skills

• Comfortable with paperwork, systems and compliance records

• Calm and hands-on during busy service periods

• Level 3 Food Safety qualification or willingness to obtain this

What’s on offer:

• £35,000–£42,000 depending on experience

• Permanent, full-time position

• Monday to Friday, 7:00am–4:30pm

• No regular weekend working

• No split shifts or late nights

• Plenty of responsibility and autonomy

• Opportunity to have a real input into menus and the wider catering operation