Head Chef - Contract Catering

Head Chef - Contract Catering - Middlesbrough Area - Up to £45,000

Monday to Friday | High-Volume Retail Operation | Excellent Work-Life Balance

We're recruiting a Head Chef to lead a large-scale Business & Industry catering operation close to Middlesbrough.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a busy, modern retail kitchen delivering around 1,000 fresh meals every day. You'll lead a large brigade, drive food innovation and help shape an exciting retail offer within a well-supported national contract caterer.

The Offer

Up to £45,000 salaryMonday to Friday operationMainly daytime hoursExcellent work-life balancePaid overtime or TOIL28 days holiday including bank holidaysCompany pension schemeFree meals on dutyCompany sick payOngoing training and developmentInternal career progression opportunitiesEmployee referral bonus schemeLong-term, stable contract

The Operation

Large-scale Business & Industry contract.Around 1,000 covers served daily.Multiple fresh food retail counters.Modern, fast-paced kitchen environment.Large chef brigade with dedicated production sections.High-volume retail alongside hospitality catering.

The Food

Fresh food prepared on-site every day.Modern retail and street food concepts.Rotating seasonal menus and weekly food themes.Premium salads, deli offers and grab-and-go options.Restaurant-quality presentation with consistency at scale.Creativity and food trends actively encouraged.

The Role

Lead the entire kitchen operation.Inspire, mentor and develop a large chef brigade.Drive food quality, presentation and consistency.Create exciting seasonal retail menus and concepts.Oversee retail production and hospitality catering.Manage ordering, stock control and supplier relationships.Control labour, food costs and GP performance.Maintain exceptional food safety and compliance standards.Support food innovation, promotions and seasonal activations.Lead from the front and build a positive kitchen culture.

About You

Experienced Head Chef within contract catering.Strong background leading high-volume fresh food operations.Reliable, consistent and committed to long-term roles.

If you're looking for a Monday to Friday Head Chef role where you can lead a large operation, develop your team and deliver fresh, modern food in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.

If you are keen to discuss the details further, please apply today or send your cv to yasmin at COREcruitment dot com