Head Cook / Head Chef

Location: Quadrant House, Coventry City Centre, CV1 2
Schedule: Permanent, Full Time: 4 on 4 off shift rota including weekends, 7am-7pm shifts  
Salary: £29,000 per annum + excellent benefits

This could be a great next career move if you're currently a chef manager, cook, chef, head chef, cook supervisor, senior cook, kitchen manager, or catering manager, looking for new responsiblities and a role where your work makes a real difference for people at a very challenging point in their lives.

Ready to make a difference?

As a Head Cook at Quadrant House, you'll be part of our Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC) for the Midlands and East of England. You’ll play a key part in creating a positive, respectful environment where food supports wellbeing, dignity, and care. From planning menus to leading a catering team, your contribution will have real purpose – helping us create a positive impact on communities and the individuals we support.

You'll lead the delivery of high-quality catering services that support people in a vital, people-centred environment. Your work will ensure safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate meals are provided every day.

What you’ll do as a Head Cook

You’ll be entrusted to:

• Lead the delivery of catering services in line with food safety, health and safety, and operational standards
• Plan menus and manage food ordering, ensuring cost control and budget adherence
• Prepare and oversee the provision of varied, nutritious meals, including special diets and culturally appropriate options
• Supervise and support kitchen colleagues, providing training and maintaining high standards
• Maintain accurate records to meet HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), food hygiene, and company requirements
• Carry out quality checks and respond to feedback or complaints to continually improve service delivery

Does this sound like you?

You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:

• Level 3 Food Safety and Level 3 HACCP qualifications, plus Level 2 Allergens in Catering
• Experience in a large-scale catering environment, ideally with at least three years in a similar role
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to support and motivate a team
• Excellent organisation and time management, with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• A commitment to working in a diverse, people-centred environment with care and respect

Vetting and checks

This role requires BPSS clearance, which involves identity verification, employment history, and criminal record checks to meet government security standards. An Occupational Health Questionnaire will also be required to ensure we can offer appropriate support for your wellbeing and performance.

Discover all you need to keep growing

We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What we offer

• 25 days plus bank holidays
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.
 
Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, a top Great British Employer of Veterans, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.

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