Job Description

About Us:

Sunderland AFC is more than just a football club; we are a proud community institution that embodies the spirit of our city.

At the heart of our club is "The Relentless Obsession"--an unwavering passion which fuels our pursuit of success, inspires our players, and ignites the spirit of our supporters. We embrace every challenge with determination, striving to play the beautiful game with flair and tenacity.

At SAFC, we believe in the power of football to unite and inspire. Our commitment extends beyond the pitch as we strive to make a positive impact through various community initiatives, empowering individuals and celebrating diversity.

Join us on our journey as we continue to build on our legacy, fuelled by "The Relentless Obsession" for greatness.

About the Team:

Welcome to the Events and Public Catering Team at SAFC, where we turn every occasion into an unforgettable experience!

We are the creative minds and logistical wizards responsible for orchestrating events that bring our community together, whether it's thrilling match days, engaging community program's or special celebrations.

Our team excels in crafting memorable experiences, from coordinating fan zones filled with exciting activities to designing exceptional dining options that cater to all tastes.

The Opportunity:

The primary purpose of this role is to provide leadership to the chef brigade, overseeing both the production and presentation of all food across the venue. This includes all hospitality, ancillary areas, and meeting and event spaces, with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of quality, food safety, and health and safety. A key responsibility is to produce innovative, price-relevant menus tailored to a diverse client base, while also managing the logistics of purchasing, ordering, delivery, and storage of all food items. Additionally, the role requires managing the administration and organisation of the kitchen.

The role involves evaluating current menu data and conducting market research to create a diverse and commercially viable food portfolio. Innovation and a passion for contemporary cuisine are essential to meet consumer needs and ensure consistency in method and approach. Menu items must be analysed for price, cost, and popularity to support the development of a commercially successful offering. Seasonal influences should be considered to enhance customer engagement and achieve cost efficiencies.

Compliance with all statutory and company practices, policies, and procedures is mandatory at all times. Accurate record-keeping as outlined in company manuals must be maintained. Employees and event day staff must be fully trained to the appropriate level, with all training formally documented. Those responsible for compliance-related record-keeping must be trained accordingly, with regular reviews of documentation and necessary actions taken.

The role includes creating production specifications and schedules to maintain consistency in food offerings while protecting profit margins through portion control. It also involves responsibility for fresh food orders and production, reviewing venue-wide menus to encourage consistent ingredient usage, and setting par stock levels with minimum and maximum limits for core products. Accurate stock recording processes should be in place to align with company period-end timelines, and ordering processes must be efficient to manage inventory levels effectively. Waste management and food production procedures should be established.

Leading the development and delivery of new products and concepts within defined budgets and timeframes is essential to ensure the venue's food offerings continually evolve. Menus and service styles should be tailored to reflect the demographic and needs of each event audience. Labour costs must be reviewed against targets, with improvement plans implemented as needed.

The position demands long-term, innovative thinking, collaboration, and proactive risk management to ensure a future-focused approach to service delivery. The team must be encouraged to adopt a fresh perspective, integrating current trends and working closely with both global and local support resources. Driving sales and profitability by identifying key opportunities is central to meeting business targets. A deep and evolving understanding of food trends, concepts, brands, and products is necessary to advise on margin maximisation.

This role includes the creation and management of capital projects for all hospitality areas and the leadership of the culinary team to ensure quality food and service delivery across the operation. Managing and motivating the full hospitality team, including performance management and feedback, is a critical aspect. Collaboration with the Talent Acquisition team is required to attract and recruit top talent.

Onboarding, training, and ongoing development of both permanent and casual staff is essential to cultivate a high-performance culture where guest service is prioritised. Effective scheduling of the casual workforce for each event is crucial to optimise labour costs and utilise time and attendance systems efficiently. A strong relationship with senior business leaders is necessary, along with the ability to provide administrative support when required. Clear, consistent communication is expected to foster a transparent and collaborative work environment.

The role includes responsibility for ensuring legal compliance and maintaining audit-ready records. This covers all relevant operational areas, including health and safety, food hygiene, fire regulations, licensing laws, and trading standards. Adherence to all post-COVID-19 working practices is also required.

As a full-time member of the venue's management team, this role plays a part in the day-to-day running of the venue, ensuring that all operations are conducted safely and effectively. It includes developing local training materials, executing procedures, conducting self-assessments, and reporting findings to the wider team.

This role supports and exemplifies the company's values and mission. The principles must be upheld at all times, with regular self-audits conducted to maintain and improve the guest experience. The role also includes delivering on any other reasonable requests from senior management.

What We Ask For:

The education requirement for this role includes holding a degree. However, candidates may also qualify based on experience, with a total of nine or more years in the industry, including three to five years in a management capacity.

Essential experience includes previous work in a high-volume, logistically complex environment. Candidates must demonstrate strong people management skills and leadership qualities, along with excellent communication and written abilities. A minimum of NVQ Level 1 and 2 qualifications is required, as well as basic IT skills. Extensive knowledge of the food and beverage industry, particularly within five-star environments, is also essential.

Desirable experience includes having held full financial accountability for a minimum of three years, either for a large single site or for several smaller operations.

A Basic DBS from Sunderland AFC is required.

Why Join Us at SAFC:

At Sunderland AFC, you're not just becoming part of a football club; you're entering a vibrant community fuelled by passion and pride. Our commitment to making a difference means you'll engage with local initiatives that truly matter, allowing you to leave a positive impact right here at home.

You'll thrive in an exciting, dynamic atmosphere where every day is a new adventure filled with the thrill of football and teamwork. We believe in nurturing talent, so you'll have access to training programs and mentorship opportunities.

Our diverse and inclusive culture celebrates individuality, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. You'll be part of a team that unites in the spirit of collaboration and respect, making your work environment both rewarding and inspiring.

As standard, we also offer the following benefits:

- 22 days leave (in addition to public holidays), increasing to 27 days after 5 years' service

- Death in Service

- Pension Salary Exchange

- Complimentary Season Tickets

- Enhanced Paternity, Maternity and Adoption Leave

- Employee Assistant Programs

- Various Discount Packages including Club Store

- Free Parking

Additional benefits may be available dependent on job role and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

Sunderland AFC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a policy of treating all employees and job applicants equally. Our aim is that all colleagues should be able to work in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.

Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

Sunderland AFC recognises that the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance within the organisation. Sunderland AFC owes a duty of care to safeguard all children and vulnerable adults involved in activities organised by the football club. Sunderland AFC will ensure that safety and protection is given to all children and vulnerable adults involved in activities through adherence to the Safeguarding guidelines adopted by the Club.

Job Type: Permanent

Schedule:

Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 27/06/2025
Reference ID: Executive Head Chef