Full job descriptionSous Chef – School
Outskirts of Ipswich
£31,000 per year
Permanent | Full Time | 40 Hours per Week | Mainly Day Shifts
Are you an experienced Sous Chef looking for a rewarding role with a fantastic work-life balance?
We are recruiting for a Sous Chef to join the catering team at a prestigious private school on the outskirts of Ipswich. This is a permanent, full-time position offering a competitive salary, structured working hours, and every other weekend off.
If you’re passionate about preparing fresh, high-quality food and are confident supporting the leadership of a professional kitchen, we’d love to hear from you.
Salary & Benefits
*£31,000 per annum
*Permanent, full-time position
*40-hour working week
*Every other weekend off
*Structured shift rota
*Supportive and professional kitchen team
*Opportunity to work within a prestigious independent school
*Excellent work-life balance
Working Hours
You must be flexible to work a rota covering the following shifts:
*6:00am – 2:00pm
*9:00am – 5:00pm
*11:00am – 7:00pm
Sous Chef Responsibilities
*Support the Head Chef with the day-to-day running and management of the kitchen
*Lead and motivate the kitchen team during service and ensure smooth kitchen operations
*Prepare and cook fresh, high-quality meals for students, staff, and visitors
*Ensure all food is prepared, cooked and presented to consistently high standards
*Assist with menu planning and development, contributing new ideas and seasonal dishes
*Maintain excellent food hygiene, HACCP and health & safety standards
*Monitor food quality, portion control and presentation
*Assist with stock control, ordering and deliveries
*Help manage food costs and minimise food waste
*Ensure the kitchen is clean, organised and compliant with all relevant standards
*Support the training and development of junior members of the kitchen team
*Step up and take responsibility for the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence
*Work closely with the wider catering team to deliver an excellent service
Essential Requirements
To be considered, you must have:
*Level 2 Professional Cookery qualification (or equivalent) – Essential
*Previous experience as a Sous Chef, or a strong Chef de Partie ready to progress into a Sous Chef position
*Previous experience working in a busy professional kitchen
*Strong knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP and health & safety procedures
*Good leadership and team-management skills
*A positive attitude and the ability to lead by example
*Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
*Flexibility to work the required shift pattern
*A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle. The school is located on the outskirts of Ipswich and is not easily accessible by public transport