Head Chef / Lead Cook

Do you love creating healthy, delicious, and sustainable meals?

Join us at Field Studies Council Millport, where your skills help fuel an organisation that inspires people to connect with nature.

Why you’ll love working with us:

• No late-night shifts, our finish time is normally by 8pm!
• Fixed mealtimes and planned menus – giving you predictable hours and structured shifts for a healthy work–life balance
• Permanent full-time contract – average 37.5 hours per week
• Salary equivalent to circa £16.12 per hour
• Excellent benefits including 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, extra loyalty days with service, life assurance 5 x your salary, Cycle to work, EV scheme, discounts and cashback opportunities
• Plus, a Health and Wellbeing Support App for you and eligible family members to access remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physiotherapy sessions and financial & legal support
• Accommodation options can be discussed at interview

What you’ll be doing

As Head Chef, you’ll lead our hospitality team to deliver memorable meals for up to 150 visitors.

This role combines hands-on cooking with team management. You’ll be creating nutritious, sustainable menus for diverse diets and allergens, including, but not limited to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and religious or cultural options.

Typical day:

• Breakfast: 7–11am
• Dinner: 3–8pm
• Set menus with 2–3 options per meal
• A mix of prep, cooking, and kitchen leadership
• Leading a small team of 8-10 part time staff to maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety

We’re proud to have achieved the Soil Association; 'Food for Life' (Bronze) & 'Green Kitchen Standard' awards, recognising our commitment to healthy, sustainable meals.

Your weekly hours will vary across the year, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.

Keen to know more? Watch this video to learn more about a day in the life of a Chef at the Field Studies Council.

Further info regarding the full responsibilities can be found in the vacancy pack attached to the advert on our career's website.

Where you’ll be based

Millport is a stunning coastal island where nature is your daily backdrop. Imagine working surrounded by sea and hills, with endless opportunities for adventure: coastal exploration, hill walking, snorkelling, rock climbing, kayaking and wildlife spotting

Living and working in Millport isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to combine your culinary skills, love of nature, and sense of adventure every day.

You’ll be part of a close-knit community with a slower pace of life, yet still within reach of Glasgow.

Who we’re looking for someone who has:

• Previous catering experience with some management exposure
• A catering qualification or relevant vocational experience
• Strong knowledge of food safety and compliance (HACCP/CookSafe)
• Pride in your work, a flexible approach, and a positive team spirit
• An interest in sustainability and supporting our environmental mission

Ready to apply?

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you!

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, so apply early to avoid disappointment. We may close the role early if we have enough suitable applicants.

For questions about the role, call Elke Scheibler on 01475 531420.

If you don’t meet every requirement listed in the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply and tell us about the unique skills and experiences you can bring to the role. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.

We want to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

As an Investors in People charity, we realise that to achieve our vision we need diverse teams of staff who have a wide range of skills, a real passion for the work of the charity and pride in their role within it. No matter what role you perform at the Field Studies Council, everyone can make a difference and every role is vital to delivering our mission and vision…if this inspires you, we would love to hear from you.

Work Location: In person