Sous Chef- Northampton Saints

Sous Chef – Northampton Saints, Northampton | Full-Time / Permanent

£42,500 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

40 hours per week

We’re looking for...

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our culinary team at Northampton Saints.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a busy sports and hospitality operation, delivering exceptional food across matchdays, events, hospitality and conferencing. Working closely with the Head Chef, you’ll play a key role in leading the kitchen team, maintaining high culinary standards and making sure every dish that leaves the kitchen is delivered to the standard our guests expect.

If you thrive in a fast-paced kitchen, enjoy leading from the front and love the buzz of a big service, this could be the role for you.

Sous Chef – The Role

As Sous Chef, you’ll support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, helping to lead the team and deliver consistently high-quality food across the Northampton Saints operation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Support the Head Chef with the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring consistently high standards of food and service.
• Lead and motivate the kitchen team during service, creating a positive and supportive working environment.
• Take responsibility for kitchen operations in the Head Chef’s absence.
• Prepare, cook and present food to a consistently high standard across matchdays, hospitality, events and conferencing.
• Support the delivery of menus that are creative, commercially focused and aligned with our guests' expectations.
• Ensure food is prepared and presented consistently, following agreed recipes, specifications and portion controls.
• Work closely with the wider Food & Beverage team to ensure smooth and efficient service.
• Support the planning and preparation of high-volume matchday and event services.
• Ensure all food is produced in line with food safety, allergen and health & safety requirements.
• Maintain excellent standards of kitchen cleanliness, organisation and hygiene.
• Support stock management, ordering and stock rotation, minimising waste and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
• Assist with monitoring food costs, portion control and wastage to support strong commercial performance.
• Support the training and development of junior chefs and kitchen team members.
• Lead by example, maintaining a calm and professional approach during busy services.
• Work closely with the Head Chef to identify opportunities to improve food quality, efficiency and the overall guest experience.
• Ensure all kitchen equipment is used safely and report any maintenance requirements promptly.
• Contribute to a positive team culture where everyone takes pride in the food and service they deliver.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a passionate chef who enjoys working in a busy, high-volume environment and isn't afraid to get stuck in.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a Sous Chef or strong Senior Chef role within a high-volume hospitality, events, hotel, restaurant or contract catering environment.
• Experience leading and supporting a kitchen team during busy services.
• A genuine passion for food, quality and great hospitality.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques and kitchen operations.
• Experience working across different types of service, ideally including events, banqueting or high-volume hospitality.
• Strong understanding of food safety, allergen management and HACCP procedures.
• Good knowledge of stock control, food costs, portion control and kitchen profitability.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• The ability to remain calm, positive and focused under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues.
• A natural ability to lead, motivate and develop others.
• Creativity and enthusiasm for developing and delivering great food.
• A flexible approach and willingness to get involved wherever needed.
• Relevant culinary qualifications are desirable.

What you’ll get in return

• £42,500 salary
• 40 hours per week
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 2 days' additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby’s first birthday, enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included
• Vodafone discounts
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment discounts – up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Travel discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
• Shopping discounts – save up to 15% at high street and online stores through Shopping Cards

Why Join Us?

Northampton Saints is one of the UK's leading rugby clubs, and you'll be joining a team that delivers hospitality experiences alongside the excitement of elite sport.

From busy matchdays and premium hospitality to conferences, events and everything in between, there’s plenty going on across the venue. It’s an environment where no two services are quite the same, and where great food plays a huge part in the overall guest experience.

You’ll be part of Levy UK & Ireland , the sports and entertainment division of Compass Group, working alongside passionate hospitality and culinary teams across some of the UK's most iconic venues.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!

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