👨🍳 Chef Manager - Education Site - Reading - £40k p/a + Bonus Potential 👨🍳
We're looking for an experienced and motivated Chef Manager to lead the catering operation at a large education site in Reading. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong leader who thrives in a high‑volume environment and wants a great work-life balance with Monday-Friday, term-time hours.
📍 The Role
- Salary: £40,000 per year
- Monday to Friday
- 6:30am - 4:00pm (45 hours per week)
- 42 weeks per year
- (term time, inset days + 3 additional weeks)
- Bonus potential up to 10% of salary
- (Company discretion)
You will manage:
- The main restaurant
- The 6th form outlet
- A team including Chef Manager, Commis Chef, and others
- A high‑volume service for 1,400 students onsite, delivering large‑scale main meals daily
🔥 Responsibilities
- Leading and motivating the kitchen team
- Menu planning and ensuring high standards of fresh, nutritious food
- Controlling stock, GP, ordering and compliance
- Managing a 7‑gas kitchen and multiple service points
- Ensuring smooth delivery across a busy, fast‑paced education environment
- Maintaining excellent relationships with school staff and students
🌟 What We're Looking For
- Strong Chef Manager or Head Chef experience (education experience ideal but not essential)
- Confident managing high-volume catering
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills
- Passion for delivering quality food in a structured environment
- Strong understanding of allergens, H&S, and compliance standards
✨ What We Offer
- Competitive salary + bonus potential
- Term‑time work for better work-life balance
- Supportive management team
- Opportunity to lead a large, busy operation with autonomy
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
