Lead Chef - SEC

This is a key kitchen leadership position supporting the Head Chef in delivering exceptional culinary standards and efficient operations across both hospitality and retail. The role oversees food preparation and presentation to ensure consistency and quality, contributes to menu development and innovation, and leads, trains and mentors kitchen colleagues. With a focus on operational excellence, cost control and compliance with food safety and health and safety requirements, the postholder helps create excellent customer experiences and contributes to the overall success and profitability of the operation.

The role primarily supports operations at The OVO Hydro and, when required, across the wider SEC campus.

• Work with the Head Chef to plan and develop varied, balanced menus that meet customer needs and relevant dietary requirements across hospitality and retail operations.
• Supervise and take part in food preparation and cooking, ensuring food meets high standards of quality, taste and presentation and complies with food safety and hygiene requirements.
• Lead, support and mentor chefs and kitchen assistants, maintaining a cohesive, efficient and productive working environment and providing training and guidance on culinary techniques and relevant dietary requirements.
• Maintain consistency in food quality and presentation, apply quality-control measures and identify opportunities to improve the food offer.
• Support ordering, storage and stock control of ingredients and kitchen supplies, ensuring efficient use of stock and minimising waste.
• Support kitchen budget management, control food costs and source ingredients effectively without compromising quality or nutritional value.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and health and safety requirements, as well as applicable dietary needs, carrying out regular checks to maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety.
• Support the planning and delivery of catering for events, meetings, functions and day-to-day hospitality and retail service, ensuring food and service meet stakeholder and customer expectations.
• Work collaboratively with the Head Chef, nutritionists, sports science professionals and other relevant colleagues to support menus and meal plans that reflect customer, athlete and performance needs where applicable.
• Help create a positive dining experience for customers, players and staff, seeking and using feedback to improve the food offer and satisfaction.
• Keep up to date with culinary trends and techniques, introducing appropriate ideas, ingredients and methods to keep menus fresh and engaging.
• Help ensure smooth and efficient kitchen operations, minimising delays and downtime and supporting the effectiveness of the wider culinary team.
• Where relevant, support the health, wellbeing and performance goals of players and staff through suitable food and meal provision.

• Proven experience in a senior culinary role, such as Sous Chef.
• Experience across hospitality and/or retail catering.
• Ability to lead, mentor and manage a kitchen team, fostering a positive, supportive and productive working environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, hygiene standards and compliance requirements, with experience maintaining high standards.
• Ability to contribute to varied and engaging menus that cater to different tastes and dietary requirements while maintaining nutritional balance where appropriate.
• Experience managing food costs, supporting budget planning and sourcing ingredients effectively without compromising quality.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with the Head Chef, colleagues and relevant stakeholders.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, in line with venue, event and operational requirements.

• Experience in a stadium, arena, large hotel, high-volume hospitality or high-performance environment.

Primarily supporting operations at The OVO Hydro, and when required across the wider SEC campus.

• Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits.
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, an additional day off for your birthday, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Healthcare and wellbeing cover including Aviva Digicare free annual healthcare check and Medicash dental, optical and therapy treatments (including up to four dependent children).
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for mental health…