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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Head Chef – Felix’s Kitchen (Production Kitchen)
Reporting To: Kitchen Manager
Salary Range: £40,000 – 45,000
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Felix’s Kitchen, Thomas Road, Industrial Estate, Poplar, London
Hours/Days per week: 37.5 hours per week, 4-day compressed hours pattern available Monday – Saturday operation, (mainly Monday – Friday role)
We are Felix
We bring people together to rescue, repurpose, and share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, turning an environmental problem into a social opportunity.
Together with 16 other independent charities, 18,000 volunteers, and thousands of partners, we are the UK’s food rescue network, supporting 1.5 million people across the country.
We are about fuller plates, fuller communities, and fuller lives.
Our Mind Sets
SAFETY FIRST – ONE TEAM ONE MISSION – BUILD TRUST IN EVERY INTERACTION – GROWING TOGETHER
Purpose of the Job
We are looking for the Head Chef to play a key role leading the team at Felix’s Kitchen to continue and grow on the success of the last four years of operations.
Felix’s Kitchen opened in 2021 and has grown its impact and output since then, to now be a one-of-a-kind kitchen producing 4.5-5 thousand ready meals 6 days a week made from surplus ingredients.
No two days will ever be the same, we work with surplus ingredients meaning each dish is unique and based on the incredible seasonal surplus ingredients we have received into out Poplar Depot based next to the kitchen. We have a core team of staff who run the operation but our work force in made up volunteers who support all aspects of our kitchen operations.
The new Head Chef will line manage the chef team of roughly 10 people and be working in our main production kitchen every day, leading the team from the front, setting the standards and organising the days production.
Whilst managing, planning and leading are the core of the role it is a hands-on role working in the kitchen to achieve the daily production targets, setting the standards and cooking new recipes each day.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead the Kitchen side of the operation on a day-to-day basis, setting the prep, packing and cooking schedules for the day(s) ahead
• Support the team from the front in delivering the days output objectives and problem solving across the kitchen operation
• Line Manage the Kitchen team, focussed on the daily management but also working on people and team management alongside the kitchen manager
• Work alongside the kitchen management team to ensure all H&S, Food Safety and HACCP standards are met & monitored effectively
• Participate in all external Health & Safety and Food Safety audits and carry out internal audits/checklist
• Be accountable for the creation of unique recipe and spec sheets every day and managing the team to do so
• Create and monitor the packing list for the packing team to produce the final meal products, ensuring accurate labelling and allergen information is given Monitorand control inbound food supplies, ensuring the ingredients are used effectively and safely
• Maintaining cleanliness standards throughout the kitchen and food storage areas
• Working alongside the kitchen manager on improving quality, quantity and consistency of Felix Meals
• Ensure the team can provide a hot lunch for the staff at Poplar each day from our surplus ingredients
• Working to support the volunteers in the kitchen, with hands on instructions and overall experience management.
Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time.
Person Specification
Felix’s Kitchen is a truly unique operation; we are looking for someone with experience cooking in a large production operation however people skills, working style and personality are the most important part of this role.
Being able to adapt and plan on the go is essential, enjoying knowing that each day will require a tweak to the plan and approaching this in a posistive manner is key. Being excited by the joy and the challenge of working with surplus food, adapting recipes and plans with the team.
You will be working with a diverse team of staff and volunteers, being open to meeting new people everyday and supporting them with your experience and knowledge. Ensuring our standards are always met but the volunteer experience is enjoyable and productive.
Being passionate about food insecurity, supporting communities and surplus food is essential, we are passionate about what we do and even more importantly why we do it.
Driving the standards within the team and operation whilst maintaining a posistive working environment and a culture of inclusivity throughout everything you do.
Research shows some people, especially women and marginalised groups, may hesitate to apply unless they match all the criteria. However, we want to assure everyone that we encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of whether they fulfil every point in the job description. Your unique perspective matters to us – please apply with confidence
Essential Criteria
• Experience leading a team as a head chef (or similar) in a kitchen operation
• Cooking in a professional production kitchen or large-scale operation
• Level 3 or higher Food Safety Training (fresh courses will be provided)
• Current or previous training in HACCP, Risk Assessments, Allergen awareness
• Knowledge on how to create and/or implement a HACCP Plan
• Confidence in the ability to create recipes daily, with a base experience and knowledge to facilitate this
We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
Recruitment timeline
We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, will not be able to provide feedback.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We deliver this surplus food to charities and schools so they can provide healthy meals and help the most vulnerable in our society.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.
About Hackney School of Food
Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.
Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.
We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.
About the role
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.
The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.
This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.
Key priorities
In your first 12 months you will:
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Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.
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Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.
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Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.
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Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.
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Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
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Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives.
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Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.
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Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.
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Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures.
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Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
Financial sustainability and income generation
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Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.
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Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.
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Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.
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Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
Partnerships & External Relations
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Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.
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Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.
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Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations.
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Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation.
Governance and public benefit
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Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit.
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Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.
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Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.
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Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.
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Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.
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Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks.
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Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.
People, Culture and safeguarding
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Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture.
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Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.
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Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles.
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Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.
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Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
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Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements.
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Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.
Risk Management & Compliance
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Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
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Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation.
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Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation.
Personal specification
Essential experience
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Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability.
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Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.
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Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.
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Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery.
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Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders.
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Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
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Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.
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Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.
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Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.
Essential skills and attributes
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Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection.
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Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership.
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Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.
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Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.
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Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills.
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Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability.
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Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.
Desirable
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Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.
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Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.
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Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.
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Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.
An inclusive workplace
We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.
How to apply
The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.
You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information.
Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July)
Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation.
We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment.
The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references.
We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.
If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.