Lead Chef
YMCA Norfolk
Norwich, NR3 2HF
Job Description
Position: Lead Chef
Pay: £13.90 per hour (£27,100.00 per annum)
Location: YMCA Norfolk Catering Services
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37.5 hours
Job Role
We are looking for a passionate and experienced Lead Chef to leadour catering operations at YMCA Norfolk in Norwich. You will be responsible for overseeing food preparation and service, maintaining high standards of food quality, safety and hygiene, and supporting the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
Working closely with the Catering Manager, you will supervise kitchen staff, create menus within budget, and help ensure an excellent dining experience for customers, young people and nursery children.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the preparation and cooking of high-quality food.
Supervise and support kitchen staff, including rota management.
Create menus and recipes within agreed budgets.
Maintain food hygiene, health & safety and environmental health standards.
Manage stock ordering, deliveries and stock rotation.
Act as Duty Manager when required in the Catering Manager's absence.
Resolve customer issues and ensure excellent service standards.
Maintain a clean, safe and well-organised kitchen environment.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
Experienced in a commercial kitchen environment.
Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Knowledgeable in food hygiene, health & safety and food storage requirements.
Able to supervise and support colleagues effectively.
Committed to delivering excellent customer service.
Reliable, organised and able to work to agreed standards.
Supportive of YMCA Norfolk's values, safeguarding responsibilities and inclusive culture.
Is flexible and able to work unsocial hours when required.
Qualifications:
NVQ Level 2 in Catering/Food Preparation (or equivalent) is essential.
Food Hygiene Certificate.
Knowledge of Health & Safety, Environmental Health and Food Hygiene requirements.
Basic Knowledge of COSHH.
The Organisation
At YMCA Norfolk we are hope filled, inspiring and empowering.
We aim to offer meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young people. We place young people at the heart of all we do and are committed to building an organisation that is responsive to the needs of young people within our community.
As a value-driven organisation we want our identity to run through everything we do, so we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for not only the young people we serve but our staff too. Working at YMCA Norfolk is an opportunity to be a part of an organisation which is challenging, innovative, rewarding and most importantly – fun!
For more information on this role, please contact careers@ymcanorfolk.org.
Benefits
Health Care Plan
34 days (pro rata) per annum inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays
An additional day of annual leave (pro rata) awarded after 5 and 10 years of continuous Long Service
Access to contributory stakeholder pension scheme after 3 months
Health and wellbeing events and activities
Family friendly policies
In service training opportunities and bursaries investing in your development
Annual staff day and staff awards to celebrate our successes
Death in service benefit of 2 x annual salary
Regular line management and support
Staff discount at Williams Kitchen Café, Explorers Soft Play & Muddy Puddles Nursery
Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 31st August 2026
We reserve the right to close the online vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.
YMCA Norfolk is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic DBS check prior to starting employment.
Written references will be obtained for the successful candidate that will cover the previous 5 years of employment. The successful candidate will be advised that an offer of employment is subject to us obtaining a minimum of two references which are satisfactory to YMCA Norfolk. Character references may be sought where it is not possible to obtain employment references.
YMCA Norfolk will consider all applications, however this role does not meet the salary requirements for sponsorship.
If you require an alternative method of applying, or documents in a different format, please email our HR Team via careers@ymcanorfolk.org
Salary
£13.90 per hour (£27,100.00 per annum)
Attendance
Permanent
Hours
37.5 hours per week
How to apply
Please visit our website: https://www.ymcanorfolk.org/get-involved/join-our-team/