University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen)

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

To liaise with CPK Manager to ensure that the provision of Catering services and for the day-to-day production of comprehensive, high-quality, cost-effective meals and menu items for both patients and staff across our University Hospital Dorset sites, ensuring that production meet demands of our hospital population. To be part of the management team assisting, advising and devising strategies to enable the smooth running of the department. Managing and participating in ensuring a high standard of food production, hygiene and cleanliness.

Main duties of the job

Developing new dishes and menus, ensuring variety and quality, and adapting to seasonal ingredients. Ensuring consistency and efficiency in production. Overseeing the selection, ordering of ingredients, managing stock levels, and minimizing waste. Supervising and directing all kitchen staff (Chefs and Catering Assistant and Store person). Training new and existing staff on techniques, recipes, and safety procedures. Evaluating staff performance, providing feedback, and addressing any issues or disciplinary matters. Overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of kitchen equipment. Managing food costs, minimizing waste, and ensuring profitability. Addressing any issues that arise in the kitchen, from equipment malfunctions to staffing shortages. Ensuring the kitchen adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations, including food hygiene standards. Adhering to all company policies and procedures related to the kitchen operation. Your responsibilities will include the catering stores. Ensure all the cleaning Schedules and production recipes are signed off.

About us

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions at interview.

This post is part of the Catering service that UHD may transfer to an NHS 'wholly owned subsidiary'; the proposed date of transfer is October 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing, expanding, organisation with a strong commitment to NHS values and putting patients first. The NHS wholly owned subsidiary will continue to offer NHS AFC T&Cs to current employees who transfer in October as well as to new employees recruited after that date.

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

153-CO04918

Job locations

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

BH7 7DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review the job description and person specification to gain a better understanding of the Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen) role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review the job description and person specification to gain a better understanding of the Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen) role.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Central Production Kitchen Experience
  • Leadership skill
  • Experience in Low risk and High Risk Area

Desirable

  • 3 years experience
  • Ability to Multi Tasking
  • Good Time Management

knowledge

Essential

  • IDDSI Meals

Desirable

  • Experience in Preparing Diets Meals for Patient

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 Food Hygiene
  • Level 3 HACCP
  • Level 3 Allergen Awareness

Desirable

  • Level 4 Food Hygiene
  • Formal Dietetics Course

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to prove problem solving
  • Knowledge of HACCP & COSHH

Desirable

  • Menumark Experience
  • Experience in New Product Development/ Existing Product Development

Role requirement

Essential

  • Flexible Working Pattern
  • Leadership/ Team Player
  • Problem Solving/Critical Thinking
  • Mentoring

Desirable

  • Good Knowledge of I.T.
  • Communication Skills
  • Speciality in any cuisine
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Central Production Kitchen Experience
  • Leadership skill
  • Experience in Low risk and High Risk Area

Desirable

  • 3 years experience
  • Ability to Multi Tasking
  • Good Time Management

knowledge

Essential

  • IDDSI Meals

Desirable

  • Experience in Preparing Diets Meals for Patient

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 Food Hygiene
  • Level 3 HACCP
  • Level 3 Allergen Awareness

Desirable

  • Level 4 Food Hygiene
  • Formal Dietetics Course

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to prove problem solving
  • Knowledge of HACCP & COSHH

Desirable

  • Menumark Experience
  • Experience in New Product Development/ Existing Product Development

Role requirement

Essential

  • Flexible Working Pattern
  • Leadership/ Team Player
  • Problem Solving/Critical Thinking
  • Mentoring

Desirable

  • Good Knowledge of I.T.
  • Communication Skills
  • Speciality in any cuisine

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

BH7 7DW


Employer's website

https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

BH7 7DW


Employer's website

https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Central Production Kitchen Manager

Vikram Paunikar

vikram.paunikar@uhd.nhs.uk

03000194011

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

153-CO04918

Job locations

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

BH7 7DW


Supporting documents

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