Senior Sous Chef - Academy and Women's First Team

At Manchester United, we believe that excellence on the pitch starts with excellence off the pitch. Our team thrives in a high-performance environment, united by a shared passion for success. We aim to elevate the standard of performance through collaboration and continuous growth, creating a space where everyone can contribute their best to our common goals. 

We work together at our iconic Manchester United offices, enabling connection and innovation as we look ahead to what we can achieve as a global football club. We are excited to bring in passionate people who share our vision and drive for success. 

The Role:

As Senior Sous Chef at Manchester United’s world-class Training Ground, you will play a key leadership role within the culinary team, supporting the Head Chef in delivering exceptional, nutritionally balanced meals tailored for elite athletes and staff. This role demands culinary excellence, operational discipline, and a deep understanding of dietary requirements in a high-performance sports environment. 
The Senior Sous Chef will assist in managing day-to-day kitchen operations for our Academy and Women's First Team, driving innovation in menu development, maintaining the highest food safety standards, in a motivated team committed to performance nutrition, service, and quality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Head Performance Chef and Club Nutritionists to produce nutritionally focused menus that support athletic performance, recovery, and well-being. 
• Oversee kitchen operations at the Training Ground, including food preparation, service, stock management, and cleanliness. 
• Lead, motivate, and develop junior kitchen staff, ensuring a culture of teamwork, discipline, and pride in delivery. 
• Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, allergen control, and safety protocols in line with HACCP and current legislation. 
• Support the development of bespoke meals for individual players based on dietary plans or medical requirements. 
• Take responsibility for quality control, presentation, portion control, and consistency across all meals served. 
• Contribute to menu planning, innovation, and feedback sessions with chefs, nutritionists, and players. 
• Support in the delivery of hospitality catering for coaches, staff, and visiting teams where applicable. 
• Act as a senior figure in the absence of the Head Performance Chef, ensuring smooth operational continuity 
• Travelling will be required based on business needs

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The Person:

We are looking for someone who has: 

• NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent formal culinary qualification)
• Level 2/3 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate  
• Previous experience at Sous Chef level or above in a high-performance or fine dining environment 
• Strong understanding of food allergens, sports nutrition, and specialised meal preparation 
• Exceptional culinary skills with attention to detail, presentation, and nutritional value 
• Excellent communication, mentoring, and interpersonal abilities 
• Positive attitude, resilience, and discretion when working in a confidential, high-profile environment 
• Highly organised with strong time management and the ability to perform under pressure 
• Creative and dynamic approach to food innovation 
• Holder of a full, valid passport, with the readiness and ability to travel internationally as required to support the team's operations and events. 

Desirable: 

• Passion for nutrition and wellness in elite sports performance 
• Experience working with nutrition-focused or bespoke dietary requirements 

What We Offer:
At Manchester United, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a range of rewards designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

• Annual Incentive Scheme to reward your dedication and hard work
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)  and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days
• Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus and cycle to work scheme
• Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and & nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
• Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners
• Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities
• Enhanced family Leave Benefits and policies
• Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs
• A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth