We are a growing specialist catering business providing fresh, nutritious meals to nurseries and early-years settings across the West Midlands.
As our business continues to grow, one thing that cannot change is the standard of food and service we provide to our customers.
We are therefore looking for an experienced Senior Production Chef to join our Birmingham kitchen.
This is an important, hands-on position within our production team. We are looking for someone who is comfortable working in a high-volume catering environment, can help lead a kitchen team during busy morning production and takes genuine pride in maintaining consistently high standards.
You will work closely with our Head Chef and wider production team, taking responsibility for helping ensure the day's production is completed safely, efficiently, on time and to the standard expected.
The Role
Our mornings are fast-paced and production-focused. You will need to be someone who enjoys being in the kitchen, cooking and producing food rather than simply supervising from the sidelines.
You will play a key role in daily food production while also helping to organise and guide other members of the kitchen team.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and cooking meals in volume to recipes and specifications
- Working closely with the Head Chef to manage the daily production schedule
- Helping organise and lead the kitchen team during busy production periods
- Ensuring meals are produced accurately and ready for dispatch on time
- Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and portion control
- Monitoring cooking procedures, temperatures and food safety standards
- Following allergen controls and ensuring dietary meals are produced correctly
- Identifying potential problems during production and finding practical solutions quickly
- Prioritising multiple tasks while remaining calm under time pressure
- Supporting and developing junior members of the kitchen team
- Ensuring cleaning, hygiene and food safety procedures are followed throughout the kitchen
- Helping the Head Chef continually improve kitchen systems, efficiency and standards
- Taking ownership of standards and leading by example
Who We're Looking For
The right person for this role will already have strong professional kitchen experience.
More importantly, we are looking for someone who understands that high-volume food production requires organisation, consistency and teamwork.
You should be:
- An experienced chef with a strong background in high-volume, mass or contract catering
- Comfortable producing large quantities of food while maintaining consistency and quality
- A confident and capable cook
- Experienced in working within structured production schedules
- Able to help lead and organise a kitchen team
- Calm and organised when working against deadlines
- Able to think on your feet and solve problems as they arise
- Capable of managing several priorities at the same time
- Knowledgeable about food hygiene, HACCP, allergens and temperature controls
- Reliable, punctual and hardworking
- Someone who takes responsibility rather than waiting to be told what to do
- A strong communicator and team player
- Passionate about maintaining high standards
- Interested in developing your skills and responsibilities as the business grows
Experience within contract catering, education catering, school catering, healthcare catering, a central production kitchen or another high-volume food operation would be particularly relevant.
The Person Behind the Chef
Technical ability is important, but attitude is equally important to us.
We are continuing to grow, and we want someone who wants to be part of that journey.
We are looking for someone who can walk into the kitchen in the morning, understand what needs to be achieved that day and help make it happen.
When production is busy, we need someone who remains composed.
When something unexpected happens, we need someone who thinks about the solution.
And when the team needs direction, we need someone who is comfortable stepping forward and leading by example.
For the right person, there will be an opportunity to grow your skills, responsibilities and career as the business continues to expand.
Working Hours
Monday to Friday
7:00am–3:00pm
40 hours per week
One of the major benefits of this position is that it provides a consistent daytime working pattern within the catering industry.
No evening shifts and no regular weekend working.
Salary
£30,000–£32,000 per year
Salary will be dependent on experience, particularly previous experience within high-volume or production catering.
Why Join?
- Monday-to-Friday working
- Daytime hours
- No regular evenings or weekends
- Permanent, full-time position
- Growing independent business
- Opportunity to develop alongside the company
- Hands-on role with genuine responsibility
- Work closely with an experienced Head Chef and production team
- Opportunity to have an impact on how the kitchen develops as the business expands
If you are an experienced chef who enjoys high-volume production, works well under pressure and wants to join an ambitious growing catering business where standards matter, we would like to hear from you.
Apply with your CV and a brief summary of your experience, particularly any experience within high-volume, production or contract catering.
Pay: £30,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- How many years of professional chef experience do you have?
- Do you have experience working within high-volume, mass production or contract catering?
- Briefly describe the largest-volume catering environment you have worked in and approximately how many meals/covers were produced per service.
- Do you have experience leading or supervising other kitchen staff during a busy service or production period?
- Are you available to work Monday–Friday, 7:00am–3:00pm?
Work Location: In person
