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Head Chef

Shenleybury
2 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
WD7, Shenleybury, Hertfordshire
£18 - £18 GBP hourly
Catering / Hospitality
Role Purpose and Values

Our purpose is to use our expertise, care, technology and insight to create exceptional working environments that enable our customers and their people to perform at their best every day.

We aim to provide our people with a workplace where they can thrive, develop their skills and achieve their full potential. For our customers, we are a trusted partner committed to creating exceptional environments for their customers and people while adding value every day.

Our culture is built around five core values:

* We are One Mitie: We work collaboratively as one team to provide a seamless and unrivalled service. We support our colleagues and customers whenever we can.

* We are built on integrity and trust: We act honestly and professionally, treating everyone with respect and taking pride in representing Mitie.

* We go the extra mile: We continuously look for ways to improve, solve problems and deliver on our commitments to colleagues and customers.

* Our diversity makes us stronger: We value different backgrounds, experiences and ideas. Everyone should have a voice and be treated equally.

* Our customers’ business is our business: We put our customers at the centre of everything we do and build trusted relationships through expertise, reliability and excellent service.

Job Objectives and Responsibilities

The role is responsible for the effective planning, preparation and service of nutritious, appetising meals for hospital patients and staff. Menus should be balanced, varied and suitable for a range of medical, dietary and cultural requirements, including gluten-free, low-fat, soft, halal and vegetarian diets, as well as texture-modified food.

The role involves supervising, supporting and motivating the catering team, ensuring employees are appropriately trained and company, client and food-safety standards are consistently achieved. Workloads must be effectively planned, delegated and monitored to ensure operational requirements and service targets are met.

Key responsibilities include:

* Planning menus, meals, theme days and special offers.

* Taking overall responsibility for food preparation and cooking.

* Ensuring food is nutritious, appetising and suitable for patients' dietary and cultural needs.

* Maintaining high standards of customer service for patients, staff and stakeholders.

* Ensuring HACCP, COSHH, QHSE, food-safety and company procedures are followed.

* Managing stock and inventory while minimising waste.

* Ensuring food is stored, prepared and served at legally compliant temperatures.

* Maintaining accurate food-safety, due-diligence and other required documentation.

* Ensuring allergen information is accurate, accessible and displayed appropriately.

* Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation and pest control.

* Ensuring equipment is operated, cleaned and maintained correctly and reporting defects promptly.

* Ensuring waste is removed regularly and disposed of using the correct waste streams.

* Maintaining appropriate staffing levels according to contract requirements and demand.

* Monitoring service delivery against agreed KPIs and identifying opportunities for improvement.

* Training, coaching and developing colleagues to achieve their full potential.

* Managing performance, attendance and employee-relations matters appropriately.

* Identifying talent and supporting career development and succession planning.

* Maintaining effective communication and engagement across the team.

* Using HR systems and support services to promote best practice.

* Leading by example and demonstrating Mitie’s values every day.

Skills and Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, allergens and special dietary requirements. Food Safety Level 3 is preferred, alongside a willingness to undertake mandatory training when required.

The role requires good literacy, numeracy and computer skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office and other workplace technology. Excellent written and verbal communication, organisation, leadership and interpersonal skills are essential.

The candidate should be able to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, plan workloads and make sound decisions. A positive, flexible and proactive attitude, together with creativity and a commitment to high standards, is essential. The ability to lead by example and work effectively with people at all levels is also important.

The role involves standing for extended periods and some manual handling, bending, stretching and lifting. The candidate must be prepared to work in chilled, hot and noisy environments where required.

Health, Safety and Information Security

All employees are responsible for following company health and safety policies and procedures, using equipment and PPE correctly, reporting hazards, defects and training needs, and taking reasonable care of themselves and others.

Employees must also comply with Mitie’s information-security procedures, report actual or suspected security incidents and proactively raise potential security risks.

Overall, the role is focused on delivering safe, nutritious and high-quality food, exceptional customer service and strong operational performance while developing a motivated, capable and engaged team that reflects Mitie’s values