Lewisham Nexus Service
JOB DESCRIPTION – CHEF MANAGER
Job Title
Chef Manager
Hours
37 per week
REPORTS TO
Lewisham Nexus Social Inclusion Lead
Line Management of
Assistant Chef
Salary £25,900 p.a.
Trainees
Occasional temporary catering staff
This post is offered on an 18 month fixed term contract, with the possibility of extension.
JOB SUMMARY
This is a hands-on role that will involve food preparation and cooking, as well as being
responsible for managing the day to day operation of a kitchen, and line management of an
Assistant Chef and trainees (Young Adults with Learning Disabilities).
The Chef Manager will manage the delivery of a daily lunchtime meal service, a small
breakfast service and afternoon tea (for between 20-40 people daily), and will ensure the
smooth and consistent operation of the food service.
Developing both the daily meal service and an external catering function means that the
Chef Manager will need to be creative, innovative, commercially “savvy” and highly
customer-focussed.
To engage with Nexus vision and values: supporting and empowering people with learning
disabilities to play an active and valued role in society, with the same rights and
opportunities as everyone else.
MAIN DUTIES
Health and Safety
Ensure that the kitchen and food service areas meet the highest standards of
cleanliness, overseeing and implementing processes and systems
Monitor and keep accurate records in accordance with HACCP food management
systems
Conduct risk assessments for all areas/equipment and activities
Ensure that staff and trainees are trained and comply with all food standard
practices and health and safety regulations
Lewisham Nexus Job Description and Person Specification – Chef Manager January 2016
Managing staff and trainees
Day to day management of catering team, holding regular supervision sessions with
direct reports
Effective management of the trainees to ensure delivery of the training programme
Create and maintain an enabling, positive and inclusive learning environment for all
trainees
Work with the trainer and Nexus’ day service manager to ensure correct recording
and monitoring of trainees’ achievements and progress
Support trainees in building confidence, self-esteem, work and life skills that will
help them progress towards social inclusion
Liaise with Nexus staff to ensure trainees receive any additional support they need
To ensure that risk assessments are carried out for each person with a learning
disability working in the food service, and that adequate supervision is in place when
people undertake tasks in both the kitchen and serving areas
Preparing meals
Designing menus that meet the needs of our customers
Work with sous chef and trainees to prepare and cook nutritious meals to a high
standard, using fresh ingredients and good presentation
To prepare buffets (hot and cold) for external events catering
Customer care
To manage and deliver a high quality service and excellent customer care to
vulnerable adults, understanding the nutritional and dietary requirements of both
older adults and people with disabilities
Use customer feedback to continuously improve and develop the meal service and
external catering
Record and monitor compliments and complaints, responding quickly and
appropriately to any complaints
Managing supplies and suppliers
To place orders for food and kitchen supplies, identifying a range of (local where
possible) suppliers who provide high quality produce at competitive prices
Financial
To keep and maintain accurate financial records of all income and expenditure,
providing regular reports to Business Manager
Lewisham Nexus Job Description and Person Specification – Chef Manager January 2016
Work closely with Nexus Business Manager to control budgets, identifying potential
under or overspends
To set and work within clear formulas for costing the daily meal service and
external/events catering, to ensure that these services are profitable.
Systems and processes
To develop, implement and maintain stock control systems and ensure that regular
stock takes are carried out
To develop, implement and manage portion control systems, minimising wastage
Development & Adding Social Value
To develop the commercial aspects of the catering function, including development
of the external catering, proactively seeking new customers, networking, promoting
and marketing this aspect of the service
To develop and support Nexus with any catering service proposals, including
initiatives run from the Calabash Centre and at other locations as required
This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. The job description will
be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change and will be subject to
amendment in consultation with the post holder.
This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.
The successful applicant will also be required to complete a satisfactory three month
probationary period.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Chef Manager (Calabash Centre)
1.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
Level 2 Diploma in professional cookery (or equivalent)
Essential
Level 3 diploma in advanced professional cookery
Desirable
Knowledge of Caribbean cooking and other cuisines
Food hygiene qualification
Excellent up to date knowledge and understanding of
environmental health standards required within a catering
service
Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Lewisham Nexus Job Description and Person Specification – Chef Manager January 2016
2.
3.
4.
EXPERIENCE
Managing day to day operations in a busy kitchen and external
catering functions
Leading, managing and motivating a team to deliver high quality
experience for customers
Training and coaching staff to deliver high standard of food
preparation and customer service
Supporting people with a learning disability in a work setting
Monitoring staff performance providing support and direction
to improve performance and motivation
Managing and monitoring budgets, developing and pricing
menus
Managing and controlling stocks and working with suppliers
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Good commercial awareness
Excellent people management skills
Highly developed interpersonal and customer service skills
Good planning and organisational ability
Able to manage a demanding workload within timescales, plan
own and team’s time effectively and ability to adapt approach
as situations change or develop
Flexible attitude to working environment and ability to work
effectively with individuals with a range of abilities
High level of attention to detail
Excellent communication skills, ability to interact effectively
with people from diverse backgrounds as well as those with
limited verbal communication ability
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Highly motivated and enthusiastic with a creative and
entrepreneurial approach
Commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity
Commitment to Nexus Mission and Values
Positive approach to problem-solving
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Lewisham Nexus Job Description and Person Specification – Chef Manager January 2016