Kitchen Operations & Compliance Coordinator- Aston Villa FC

Kitchen Operations & Compliance Coordinator – Aston Villa FC, Birmingham | Full Time

£38k + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We're looking for...

We're looking for an organised and detail-focused Kitchen Operations & Compliance Coordinator to join our culinary team at Aston Villa FC. This is a brilliant opportunity to work behind the scenes at one of football's most iconic clubs, supporting kitchen operations, food safety compliance and exciting guest chef partnerships. From working alongside visiting Michelin-starred chefs to keeping recipes, allergens and commercial information on track, you'll play an important part in delivering exceptional food experiences.

We are Levy

We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world's most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events – from Wimbledon and Twickenham to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London – we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Kitchen Operations & Compliance Coordinator – The Role

Working closely with the Kitchen Manager and wider culinary team, you'll help keep everything running smoothly across our kitchen operations, ensuring food safety standards, recipe specifications and guest chef partnerships are delivered to the highest standard.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Support the Kitchen Manager with day-to-day kitchen administration, schedules, documentation and operational coordination.

• Maintain accurate recipes, product specifications, ingredients, portion sizes and costings within approved Compass food management systems.

• Take ownership of allergen, dietary and nutritional information, ensuring records are always accurate and up to date.

• Support food safety compliance through regular allergen audits, spot checks and corrective actions, escalating any concerns where necessary.

• Coordinate kitchen familiarisation, menu trials and operational briefings for visiting guest chefs, including some exciting Michelin-starred partnerships.

• Work closely with guest chefs and permanent kitchen teams to ensure menus, ingredients, equipment, staffing and service requirements are all in place ahead of events.

• Support the preparation of guest chef restaurant forecasts and P&L reports, working alongside Finance and the Kitchen Manager.

• Monitor food and labour costs against agreed targets, highlighting any commercial risks or opportunities for improvement.

• Coordinate ingredient and calorie labelling, ensuring menus, QR codes and digital information reflect approved specifications and Natasha's Law requirements where applicable.

• Support colleagues with recipe systems, allergen processes and relevant refresher training, including supporting Allergen Champions.

• Liaise with chefs, Operations, Finance and other departments to communicate menu changes, event requirements and operational updates.

• Support major events when required, acting as a key point of contact between guest chefs and the permanent culinary team.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, documentation, guest chef onboarding and commercial reporting.

What we're looking for

• Experience working within a professional kitchen, food operations or hospitality environment.

• A strong understanding of food safety, allergen management and food hygiene requirements.

• Knowledge of Natasha's Law and food labelling requirements would be advantageous.

• Excellent organisational skills and a real eye for detail, particularly when managing recipes, specifications and compliance records.

• Confident working with data, spreadsheets, food costings and commercial information.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with chefs, suppliers, Finance and operational teams.

• Comfortable working with different stakeholders, including visiting guest chefs and senior culinary leaders.

• A proactive approach, with the confidence to identify issues, find solutions and escalate concerns when needed.

• Good IT skills and confidence using systems to maintain accurate records and information.

• A genuine passion for food, hospitality and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to support major events and work around the needs of the business.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary and full company benefits.

• 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.

Why Join Us?

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

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.

Levy UK + Ireland is the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland. It is the market leader in the provision of legendary food and drink experiences at some of the UK's and Ireland's most significant sporting, arena, and leisure venues. Through strong client partnerships, Levy UK + Ireland creates bespoke food concepts, service standards and pioneering design, implementing a guest-first approach and ongoing innovation at each venue.

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

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