Chef Manager - Req24423

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As a Chef Manager you’ll have a passion for preparing healthy and nutritious meals whilst ensuring a high quality of food preparation, presentation and overall customer service at all times. You’ll be committed to the success of a wider team; continually looking for ways to improve.

It’s not just about feeding the children of Leeds, it’s about providing inclusive meal options that are prepared fresh with a choice for everyone. 

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Chef Manager, you will bring to the role:

•  Experience of preparing freshly made dishes and the use of fresh produce
•  Experience of working within a large catering organisation and the ability to supervise and motivate members of staff and organise work rotas
•  Experience of training staff, monitoring performance and maintaining training records.
•  A commitment to providing a high quality catering service which meets customer needs and expectations. Be prepared to be a hands on member of the catering team.
•  The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in person and on the telephone with members of teaching staff, pupils and the management team.

About the role 

As our next Chef Manager, you’ll have a desire to seek continual improvement, both personally and for your wider team. You’ll provide a hands-on approach to service delivery, ensuring food is purchased and prepared fresh each day. As well as what has been listed above, you’ll be responsible for all stock control and making sure each dish hits our targeted cost.   

The role is integral to our Catering Operations team. We have approximately 900 members of staff within the whole service all of whom are supported by an administration and recruitment function, a specialise food technology department and many operational managers who are continually looking to make efficiencies to improve the service delivered.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Magdalena Hayton on 0113 3782323 or cateringrecruitment@leeds.gov.uk 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose: To co-ordinate the provision of a high quality catering and events service through the effective management of staff and finances.

Responsibilities 

• Responsible for the day to day running of the kitchen, dining areas, the supervision of kitchen staff and planning of staff rotas.
• Responsible for planning menus to meet the school specification and recommended nutritional guidelines and to include special promotions. 
• To ensure that all meals are produced by the recommended methods, under the guidelines issued by the Catering Agency.
• Responsible for the general cleanliness of the kitchen and servery areas and all equipment.
• To ensure that the necessary standards of food hygiene are always met in relation to statutory regulations and the organisations policy, including the completion of all HACCP documentation.
• The ordering of all commodities from approved suppliers and control of all stocks on site.
• To ensure stock takes are undertaken as and when required.
• Responsible for managing the catering requirements for all out of school activities and lettings Inc. weekends and evenings. 
• To ensure that Health and Safety standards are always achieved.
• To ensure that all equipment failures are reported for repair and that annual inspections are carried out when required.
• To assist in the effective implementation and promotion of the Catering Agency’s staff development policies.
• To have good entrepreneurial and commercial skills with a working knowledge of food and labour costings.
• To carry out on the job training as required for staff and to arrange any formal training with the Catering Agency or other appropriate providers.
• To maintain training records.
• To complete all appropriate documentation and returns according to the school and Catering Agency’s policies.
• The completion of personnel and payroll related documentation, to ensure prompt payment of wages.
• Ensure financial procedures are maintained and to prepare money for banking and reconcile cash takings as required using the appropriate documentation. 
• Managing the on-site computerised cashless operation. 
• To ensure that all of the Agency’s ISO 9000 procedures and systems are effectively maintained and updated as necessary.
• To work with the school and Catering Agency to develop effective marketing and business planning.
• Responsible for the budgetary control of the on-site catering operation in accordance with the Local Authority Financial Regulations.
• To provide an efficient and polite service to customers and promote good customer relations. 
• Attending school council meetings as required. 
• Assist with school cooking clubs and other activities. 
• To promote the on-site service and encourage students, teachers and visitors to use the facilities.
• To promote the objectives of the school and the Catering Agency via the provision of a quality service which is efficient and effective at all times.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

A recognised catering qualification and basic food hygiene training.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Experience of preparing freshly made dishes and the use of fresh vegetables
• To hold a recognised catering qualification including Basic Food Hygiene and be prepared to undertake further training as and when required
• Experience of working within a large catering organisation and the ability to supervise members of staff and to organise work rotas and be able to motivate staff.
• Experience of training staff, monitoring performance and maintaining training records. 
• A commitment to providing a high quality catering service which meets customer needs and expectations. Be prepared to be a hands on member of the catering team.
• To be computer knowledgeable due to the on-site cashless system. 
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in person and on the telephone with members of teaching staff, pupils and the management team
• Flexible approach to work evenings and weekends as required
• A working knowledge of Food Hygiene Regulations and Health and Safety Regulations such as HACCP and COSHH.
• A satisfactory CRB check at an enhanced level is required. 
• A working knowledge of electric and gas kitchen equipment and safety procedures
• Experience of cash handling, cash reconciliation and banking.
• Experience of administration and maintaining accurate records.
• Be willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Be willing to carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies.

Essential and other Behavioural Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• A working knowledge of quality procedures.
• A working knowledge of Staff Development.
• To be computer literate. 
• A flexible approach to working hours.