Head Chef

Compass Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality provider in Manchester is seeking an experienced Head Chef to run a weekday kitchen operation. This role offers a competitive salary of £16.76 per hour, with a focus on high-quality food and team leadership without evening or weekend shifts. You will manage kitchen operations, develop seasonal menus, and ensure compliance with hygiene standards. Enjoy benefits like a pension scheme, career growth opportunities, and discounts on travel and shopping.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Career development programmes

Digital GP access

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Wellness classes

Qualifications

• Experience in leading kitchen operations is essential.
• Passion for high-quality food and fresh ingredients.
• Ability to inspire and train kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations and service delivery.
• Plan and develop menus using fresh, seasonal produce.
• Manage stock control, ordering, and food cost targets.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.
• Lead and develop the kitchen team.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Hygiene compliance

Stock management

Job description

Head Chef – Manchester

£16.76 per hour | 40 hours per week | Monday–Friday

We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated Head Chef to lead a well-established weekday kitchen operation in Manchester. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate chef who values fresh, high-quality food, efficient service, and positive team leadership, without the demands of evening or weekend work.

As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene. You will lead, train, and inspire a skilled kitchen team while maintaining smooth, efficient service in a fast-paced but structured environment.

What we offer:

• Competitive pay at £16.76 per hour
• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday only
• No weekends or late nights – excellent work-life balance
• A supportive working environment with a strong team culture
• The opportunity to lead and shape menus focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all kitchen operations and service delivery
• Plan and develop menus using fresh, seasonal produce
• Manage stock control, ordering, and food cost targets
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations
• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team
• Maintain high standards of consistency, quality, and presentation

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!