As part of our continued investment in culinary leadership, we’re appointing a Culinary Director to raise standards across a multi-site state school estate in England & Wales. You’ll represent Sodexo on the Food Platform, liaising closely with Procurement & Purchasing to turn strategy into scalable offers. Day-to-day, you’ll lead a senior chef community and partner with Operations, bringing together people, process, and product to deliver a consistent, market leading food experience. You’ll embed DRIVE (our menu management system), take new concepts from pilot to national roll-out, and model forward-thinking, organised leadership with clear communication, crisp planning, and the confidence to influence at pace.
Why this role:
Contract: Permanent, full-timeLocation: Field-based across Central Midlands and beyond (regular travel with company van provided)Work Life Balance: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per weekFlexibility: Option of term-time only (with some agreed flexibility across the year).Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Flexible Benefits FundBenefits: Healthcare, pension contributions, 25 days’ annual leave excluding public holidaysCareer progression: Clear pathway to Global Culinary Director levelEnvironment: Collaborative, professional and supportiveImpact: Autonomy to shape menus and influence food strategyWhat you’ll do
Deliver a consistent food experience at scale: Deploy agreed menus, food offers and brand standards across state schools excellence first time, every time.Embed DRIVE: Implement the Menu Management System across agreed sites to provide commercial visibility, nutritional assurance and measurable compliance.Develop people and culture: Coach and grow a community of senior development chefs and unit head chefs; create clear pathways via the Sodexo S&U Chef Academy.Design & deploy offers: Co-design, test and scale food concepts with S&U Marketing, Food Platform, HSEQ, L&D, Dietetics, Retail, Supply Management and Account teams.Raise standards through training: Design and deliver practical training that uplifts presentation standards, service excellence and operational discipline.Champion safety & governance: Set the tone on food safety, health & safety and legislative adherence, zero compromise.Be visible & influential: Support bids, mobilisations, client showcases and student engagement events with on-trend, age-appropriate food.
What you’ll bring
Multi-site leadership at Director or Executive level within contract catering or premium hospitality (schools experience advantageous).High-level culinary skill and range, with multi-concept/multi-cuisine knowledge and a strong grasp of UK trends for young diners.Systems fluency—recipe/menu platforms (e.g., ROL, DRIVE, Saffron) and Microsoft 365; confident leading complex roll-outs.Commercial acumen—food cost control, menu engineering, throughput and waste management.People developer—coaching senior chefs, designing training and building accountability.Stakeholder gravitas—credible with clients and senior leaders; collaborative and calm under pressure.Essentials: UK market understanding, flexibility to travel nationally, and a full UK driving licence.
Package Description
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.
You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.
In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice.
For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
About The Company
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.
We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)
Attached documents HR-5933_Benefits UK Brochure V9.pdf Culinary Director State Schools.docx Apply