Job Description

Job Title: First Team Head Chef

Reports to: Head of Sports Science / Sporting Director

Location: Blackpool Football Club Training Facilities, Blackpool

Hours: 40 hours per week, to meet the needs of the Club

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience.

Who we are:

Blackpool Football Club is an English Professional Association Football Club based in the seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire.

The Club was founded in 1887 and has a very storied history, from being a founding member of the Lancashire League in 1889, rising to the Top-Flight of the Football League (the old First Division) in 1930, to winning the FA Cup in 1953 and being promoted to the Premier League in 2010 (becoming the first Club to gain promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system.)

The team are competing in League One, the third tier of the English Football League.

The Club have played their home games at Bloomfield Road since 1901.

Job Purpose:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced candidate to join the team at Blackpool Football Club in the role of First Team Head Chef.

The ideal candidate will prepare and cook nutritionally balanced meals daily for the Players and football staff based at the First Team Training Ground in Blackpool, to include all home matchday events.

This is a full-time position working evenings and weekends for a qualified chef with additional qualifications in Food Hygiene.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

To lead in the preparation and service of breakfast and lunch for all Players and football staff on a daily basis in line with player schedules and business requirements. Oversee and assist in the process of the preparation of pre-match and post-match meals for the Players and football staff. To create varied and balanced weekly menu's which meet the nutritional requirements for elite sports people. To liaise at all times with the Head of Sports Science. To ensure the quality and service of food provided is of an excellent standard and meets the needs of the business, including the Players and football staff. To ensure preparation carried out is to the food standard requirements. To perform and record daily hygiene checks and temperature logs. To source, contact and purchase food supplies and refreshments. Manage stock rotation, follow correct storage procedures whilst ensuring quality and freshness. Daily analysis of all stock levels. To ensure all kitchen equipment, storerooms and eating areas are kept clean and sanitised on a regular basis. To ensure the canteen is fully compliant with the Food Hygiene and Safety Legislation. Lead in the training and development required of any further chefs and apprentices as and when required. Liaise with other departments such as Sports Science and medical departments, if required, to ensure the Players are receiving optimal meals. Additional duties as reasonably requested by the Sporting Director.
To adhere to the Club's Safeguarding Policy at all times.

To promote a safe and healthy working environment for all Players and staff.

To promote a professional image of the Club and themselves at all times.

To contribute to identifying and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

To work with and support other team members as required ensuring effective and efficient service is developed and delivered.

You will be expected to seek ways of updating and improving personal skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to your own job role.

The above job description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Level 3 Diploma for Professional Chefs.

Up to date Food Hygiene qualification.

Up to date Food Safety qualification.

An up to date FA Safeguarding Children qualification.

HACCP & Food Safety Level.

Experience

Proven experience as a Chef or similar.

Experience within a hospitality environment.

Experience in dealing with suppliers.

Impeccable food presentation and creativity skills.

Experience in an elite sports environment.

Knowledge & Skills

Good knowledge of individual dietary requirements for all Players and football staff such as allergies, ethnic needs and gluten free. Good knowledge of nutrition and diet to aid optimum performance. Excellent knowledge of environmental health and the understanding of safe working practices. Good knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. Excellent organisational and communication skills with both Players and colleagues. A creative thinker with the ability to seek new opportunities and smarter working practices.

Personal Qualities

A quick learner with the ability to work independently. Good initiative, enthusiasm, problem-solving approach to new challenges. Have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrates honesty, integrity, reliability, and the ability to ensure confidentiality at all times. Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines. Works within a team environment, co-operates with others, considers the needs of others and helps others to achieve objectives. To have a pleasant and approachable demeanour. A strong commitment to you own personal development. Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours, to include evening and weekends.
To apply for the position please submit a CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria for the role to HR@Blackpoolfc.co.uk or Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ.

We encourage early applicants as we reserve the right to close the application process at any time.

This job will be subject to satisfactory references and Enhanced DBS procedures.

Closing date for applications is

Sunday 8 June 2025.

Safeguarding:

Blackpool Football Club Ltd and the EFL are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. Posts advertised may require Enhanced Criminal Record Checks and may include checks against the Barred lists, as such it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore, all convictions, including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared.

Recruitment checks

: You will also be required to provide details of referees for the previous five years' working history or referees whilst in full-time education.

Equality and Diversity

: Employees must always carry out their duties with due regard to Blackpool Football Club's policies and procedures. The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Mission Statement:

At Blackpool Football Club we aim to provide an enjoyable experience for all supporters and hold inclusion and anti-discrimination at the core of our values. We are committed to creating an environment which welcomes and respects people from all communities, promoting equality and diversity at Bloomfield Road and its associated premises. As a Club we recognise the nine protected characteristics (age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation) under the Equality Act 2010 and will play an active role in supporting inclusion and putting an end to discrimination.

The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Blackpool Football Club is an equal opportunities employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

Company events Employee discount On-site parking
Schedule:

Flexitime Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 08/06/2025