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Location:East Sussex, BN8 6BN
Salary: £65k, plus £5k bonus and company car
Company:Zebedees
Full-time | Permanent | MondayFriday, 5am 2pm
About Zebedees
We are the UKs leading nursery meals provider, providing hot lunches and cold teas for nurseries across the South East. Zebedees is a privately owned business committed to producing nutritious, high quality food that exceeds EYFS nutritional guidance.
The Role
Due to internal promotion, a rare opportunity has arisen for a passionate and highly experienced Executive Chefto join our CPU. You will oversee our kitchen operations, drive standards, inspire the team, lead culinary excellence and innovation as we continue to grow.
This is a strategic and hands-on leadership rolereporting directly to the Operations Manager and Directors. You will be responsible for the daily operations, food safety compliance, kitchen efficiency, and leadership of a team of 45 kitchen staff, in a high-output central production facility.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, support, and manage a kitchen team of 45 chefs, kitchen assistants, and porters
- Oversee daily operations of our CPU (high-volume nursery catering)
- Ensure consistent execution of meals to specification, quality, and allergen standards
- Manage and maintain all HACCP documentation, internal food safety audits, and compliance procedures
- Collaborate with the Operations Manager and renowned Nutritionist (Charlotte StirlingReed)on menu development and innovation
- Monitor and maintain compliance with food hygiene, food safety, and auditing standards
- Implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce waste
- Ensure safe and efficient use of high-spec machinery
- Coordinate with logistics and operations teams for timely service delivery
About You
- Proven experience in a senior kitchen management or executive chef role (high volume / CPU experience preferred)
- Strong leadership experience managing teams of 30+ staffin a food production or catering environment
- In-depth knowledge of HACCP systems, food safety legislation, and auditing procedures
- High level of organisation, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Experience in scaling production, managing KPIs, and leading continuous improvement
- Food hygiene qualification (Level 3 minimum, Level 4 desirable)
- Proven experience in staff training, strong mentoring, and staff development under your management
- Passionate about food, nutrition, and team culture
Our perks
- Salary £65k plus £5k bonus
- Company car (electric Tesla Y) with valid driving licence
- Monday to Friday daytime hours: 5am - 2pm (no evenings or weekends)
- Workplace pension scheme
- Private medicalinsurance
- Death in servicecover
- 25 days holiday per year, plus 8 Bank Holiday days, plus birthday leave
- Closed for bank holidays, and from Christmas to New Year
- Free food daily including breakfast, hot lunch, snacks, tea, coffee
- Fun Fridayswith cooked breakfasts, cakes, and drinks for the whole team
- Fully paid team social events and staff days out
- Full uniform provided
- Fully funded training and development opportunities
- A close-knit, people-first leadership culture
