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Executive Chef - Woodbourne Group

Full TimePermanentNot specifiedAdministration
Posted 15 March 2026Closes 20 March 2026

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Executive Chef to lead the culinary direction across our hospitality businesses including Greens Café, Café 360, Woodbourne Deli and Woodbourne Kitchen, alongside events, catering and seasonal pop-ups. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role and not an office-based position. The successful candidate will work closely with kitchen teams day-to-day, ensuring consistency, organisation and high standards across all sites while supporting and developing the wider kitchen team. The role includes oversight of menu development, food production systems, events catering, retail product development and operational kitchen management across multiple locations. Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens, recipe management, costing and kitchen systems is essential, alongside the ability to leady by example in a busy hospitality environment. Significant senior chef experience is essential. The role would suit an established Head Chef or Executive Chef with a proven track record in multi-site kitchen leadership and developing high-quality successful food operations. To apply please your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience in senior kitchen leadership, menu development and multi-site kitchen operations to jobs@woodbourne.im.

Automation Risk

Automation probabilityi35%
AI exposure (AIOE)i62%

While several routine and administrative tasks (compliance, costing, inventory) can be automated or augmented by specialized kitchen management software, the core of this role relies on hands-on leadership, creativity, and team development. AI tools can assist with menu planning, quality monitoring, and reporting, but the Executive Chef’s real-world presence and expertise are essential for multi-site operations.

Task analysis

  • Lead menu development and innovation across multiple hospitality venues and events.
  • Supervise and coordinate kitchen teams to ensure consistency and high standards across all sites.
  • Oversee food production systems, recipe management, and costing for efficient kitchen operations.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety, allergen management, and kitchen hygiene regulations.
  • Develop and mentor kitchen staff, providing training and performance feedback.
  • Monitor and maintain quality control of food products and service delivery.
  • Manage kitchen budgets, supplier relationships, and inventory across multiple locations.
  • Participate hands-on in food preparation and event catering as required.
  • Design and oversee development of retail food products for sale.

Automatable AI-assisted Human-only

Occupational Classification

✨ Bright Outlook🇬🇧 UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligible
UK SOC2020: 5434Chefs
O*NET: 35-1011.00 Chefs and Head Cooks
AI analysis: 16 March 2026

UK Salary Benchmark

Office administrative, office support and other business support activities · ONS ASHE 2024 annual earnings

scale £50k
UK sector median
£34,855
UK sector mean
£49,618
£0£13k£25k£38k

👤 For Candidates

AI & future-of-work guidance

🤖 Enhance with AI

  • Leverage menu planning AI for seasonal and cost-effective innovation
  • Use inventory management tools to reduce waste and control costs
  • Adopt digital training platforms for consistent staff development

📈 Disruption outlook

10%1 yr
28%5 yrs
50%10 yrs

% risk of significant disruption

🎓 Learn now

📚 For full-time, part-time & evening courses on the Isle of Man, visit University College Isle of Man (UCM)

🏢 For Employers

Strategic hiring options & technology alternatives

🔄 Alternatives

💻 TechnologyKitchen CUT

Automates recipe costing and inventory management tasks

🤖 AI AgentChef Watson

Suggests innovative menu ideas using AI

🌍 OutsourcingContracted Event Catering

External teams handle peak event catering

Recommendation

Augment role

Automation aids admin, but leadership and creativity remain human-driven

Microsoft Copilot & M365

Power Automate

Streamline supplier orders and inventory tracking

Copilot for Excel

Optimise recipe costing and budget analysis

Microsoft Teams

Coordinate multi-site kitchen teams and share updates

Key Skills

Menu DevelopmentExpertFood ProductionExpertHealth and SafetyAdvancedTeamworkAdvancedTraining and DevelopmentAdvancedAttention to DetailAdvancedTime ManagementAdvancedOperations AnalysisIntermediateQuality Control AnalysisAdvancedProject ManagementIntermediateAllergen ManagementAdvanced

Knowledge Areas

Food ProductionProduction and ProcessingCustomer Relationship ManagementBudgeting and Resource ManagementHealth and Safety ProceduresManagement and LeadershipReporting and Documentation

O*NET Competency Skills

CoordinationMonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingTime ManagementCritical ThinkingService OrientationActive ListeningInstructingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingLearning Strategies

Alternative Career Paths

Group Food & Beverage Manager85% match

Oversees all food and beverage operations across a hospitality group, focusing on strategy, profitability, and standards.

Culinary Consultant80% match

Advises restaurants or hospitality businesses on menu development, kitchen operations, and food trends.

Food Product Development Manager75% match

Leads the creation and launch of new retail or wholesale food products for commercial sale.

Hospitality Operations Director70% match

Manages overall operations for a group of hospitality venues, including kitchens, front-of-house, and events.

Also Consider

🔥 Hot Technologies

In-demand tools for this occupation (O*NET)

Google SheetsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlook

Work Activities

General work activities from O*NET

  • Training and Teaching Others
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  • Developing and Building Teams
  • Coaching and Developing Others
  • Getting Information
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Scheduling Work and Activities
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Monitoring and Controlling Resources
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  • Thinking Creatively

Anthropic Economic Index

Real-world AI adoption data from millions of Claude conversations · Dataset ↗

CC-BY Research

Observed Claude Usage

0%

of conversations

Classic Auto. Risk

10%

Frey & Osborne

Job Zone

3/5

Medium prep

O*NET Median Salary

£38k

US ref. $48k · fx 0.79

Occupational family: Food Preparation and Serving Related

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