Head Chef

Compass Group; Newport; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A catering services company is seeking an experienced Head Chef for a busy contract catering kitchen in Newport. This role requires leadership skills to manage a team, uphold food safety and compliance, and deliver high-quality meals. Ideal candidates will have experience in high-volume catering environments and be able to work independently. The position offers sociable hours and a focus on work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-volume/contract catering environment required.
• Must be able to manage stock, ordering, and portion control effectively.
• DBS check is necessary for this role.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality food to company standards.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team.
• Ensure full compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations.
• Manage costs to minimize waste and protect margins.
• Maintain relationships with clients and suppliers.

Skills

Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef

Strong leadership and people management skills

Excellent knowledge of food safety and hygiene

Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment

Job description

Head Chef – Newport

£32,298 per annum | Monday–Friday | 7:00am–2:30pm

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead a busy contract catering kitchen in Newport. This is a hands‑on leadership role, ideal for a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up.

Key requirements:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume/contract catering environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and compliance
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment and meet tight deadlines

The role:

• Deliver high‑quality food to company standards across breakfast, lunch, and hospitality
• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team, overseeing daily operations and training
• Take full responsibility for the kitchen when deputising for the Chef Manager
• Ensure full compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, COSHH, and audit requirements
• Manage stock, ordering, portion control, and costs to minimise waste and protect margins
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders while delivering excellent customer service

Additional information:

• A DBS check is required for this role
• A trade test will form part of the interview process

If you want sociable hours, real work–life balance, and the chance to run a kitchen to a high standard, this role ticks all the boxes.

About Us

We connect workplaces to mindful, flavourful & planet‑positive catering

At Eurest, we are the experts in workplace catering, operating in over 700 workspaces every day. We know that fuelling employees throughout the day can help to sharpen their thinking, nourish their bodies and minds and ultimately, motivate them to perform at their best. Our workplace food experiences are driven by our promise to live more sustainably and responsibly, working towards our goal of net zero by 2030.

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