Head Chef

We are looking for a highly motivated and dedicated Head Chef to join our Catering Team at the University of Northampton.

The Head Chef will be responsible for supporting the Catering & Commercial Manager, working within a multiple of outlets on our fantastic Waterside Campus.

This job role would predominantly be Monday to Friday, but will include occasional weekends, bank holidays & events, with shifts varying from 7am to 10pm.

Our customers and students are at the heart of everything we do. You will need to ensure that this is paramount to everything you do.

Key Responsibilities:

- Plan and deliver menus and food production for daily catering and hospitality events, ensuring quality, consistency, presentation and timely service.
- Lead kitchen operations, allocate work and supervise the team to ensure service requirements are met safely and efficiently.
- Develop menus and recipes that meet customer needs, dietary requirements and allergen controls, taking account of seasonality, nutrition, value and sustainability.
- Maintain robust food safety, hygiene, allergen, health and safety and cleaning standards; complete and review records, risk assessments and temperature checks as required.
- Manage stock, ordering, deliveries, storage, rotation, waste and portion control; monitor food costs and contribute to budget targets.
- Implement appropriate kitchen procedures to avoid waste.
- Maintain all written records for the purposes of regulatory and legislative observance and to assist the Catering and Commercial Manager in external and internal assessments and checks.
- Train staff in food preparation and service as and when necessary.
- Ensure that all operations are following the UON food policy.
- Supervise all kitchen equipment and dangerous machinery and notify the UON maintenance team or the relevant responsible team when maintenance is required.
- Cultivate business by being aware of the needs and desires of the customer base for the catering outlets.
- Safely handle and operate kitchen knives and other sharp tools in accordance with training and safety protocols.
- Use all equipment as instructed and adhere to all relevant health and safety procedures, including PPE use.
- Maintain knives in good working condition and report any defects or hazards immediately.

About You:

- Kitchen experience in a leadership role
- Ability to produce good quality food
- Understanding of health and safety
- Understanding of food hygiene practices
- Good oral communication
- High level of attention to detail
- Good level of numeracy to develop your own skills and knowledge
- Adaptability to change and willingness to embrace new ideas and processes
- Ability to work unsupervised and deliver quality work
- Positive and approachable manner
- Team player qualities

Qualifications (Essential):

- Relevant professional cookery / catering qualification, or equivalent practical knowledge and experience

Department:

The postholder will be a key member of the Estates & Campus Services Department, which comprises Campus Services, Timetabling & Space Management, Projects, Buildings Services, Catering, Commercial, Residential Services, Security & Community Safety, Environment & Sustainability, and Property Management.

This vacancy is covered by University of Northampton Enterprises Ltd (UNEL) Terms and Conditions of employment. UNEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Northampton trading as 1st Degree Facilities.

Interview Date: 13th January 2027