Job Description:

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

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 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 we’d love to hear from you

IND7