Performance Chef – Portsmouth Football Club

Job title

Performance Chef - Portsmouth Football Club

Location

Portsmouth FC Training Ground at Pompey Health and Fitness, 442 Copnor Road, Hilsea, Portsmouth PO3 5EW with travel where required

Hours of work

Full time - 42.5 hours/week

The role will require flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, Sundays and Bank Holidays, in line with the Club's training and match schedule.

Reports to

Sporting Director

Remuneration

Competitive; Based on experience.

Join Our Team - Be Part of Pompey's Future

Are you a passionate and experienced Performance Chef looking for an exciting opportunity within professional football?

We are looking for a motivated individual to lead the kitchen operations and oversee the food provision for the First team, Pompey FC Academy, Café and Pompey Women FC. Working in a fast-paced, team-focused environment, you will play an important role in providing high-quality, nutritious food that supports the health, wellbeing and performance of our players and staff. You will lead and develop our kitchen team, working closely with the Club's Performance Nutritionist and wider Performance and Medical teams to ensure our food provision supports player performance, recovery and individual dietary needs.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about food and takes pride in delivering consistently high standards of quality, hygiene and presentation. You will bring strong leadership, creativity and organisation, alongside the professionalism, flexibility and discretion required when working within a professional football environment.

This is a great opportunity to lead an important part of our training ground operation and make a real contribution to the day-to-day environment and performance of the Club.

Role Summary

As the Performance Chef, you will plan, prepare and deliver a high‑quality, nutritionally aligned meals that support athlete performance and wellbeing. Working closely with the club's nutrition and sports science teams, the role translates dietary plans into healthy meals tailored to the training demands, match schedules, and individual needs.

The Performance Chef ensures consistency, innovation, and professionalism in all culinary outputs, contributing directly to the club's wider performance culture.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Performance Nutrition

• Oversee all food provision at the training ground, including breakfast, lunch, recovery meals and snacks for players and relevant staff.
• Work closely with the Club's Performance Nutritionist and Performance team to develop varied, balanced and performance-focused menus that support training, matchday and recovery requirements.
• Ensure individual player requirements are appropriately catered for, including allergies and intolerances, as well as religious, cultural and other dietary needs.
• Plan and coordinate pre- and post-match food provision for away travel, working with the Performance Nutritionist and Club Secretary to maintain consistently high standards.
• Adapt menus to reflect seasonal ingredients, changing schedules and evolving player and team requirements.
• Lead on food safety, hygiene and allergen management, ensuring all relevant records, processes and management systems are maintained.
• Source high-quality, fresh and sustainable ingredients, managing budgets responsibly and minimising food waste.
• Build positive relationships with players and staff, supporting a positive culture around food, nutrition and wellbeing.
• Support informal nutrition education alongside the Performance Nutritionist, sharing knowledge and encouraging positive food choices.

  Leadership & Management

• Lead, develop and motivate the kitchen team, creating a positive and high-performing environment that reflects the standards expected across the First team, Pompey FC Academy, Café and Pompey Women FC.
• Manage the day-to-day performance of the team, including rotas, training, performance management and recruitment.
• Set clear standards and expectations, ensuring consistently high levels of professionalism, quality and service across the kitchen operation.
• Work collaboratively with Football, Performance, Medical and other relevant departments to ensure the kitchen operation effectively supports the wider needs of the Club.
• Attend relevant meetings and contribute to the planning and implementation of performance nutrition and operational requirements.

Given the hours of work in this role, the successful candidate should live within close travel proximity to Portsmouth or be willing to relocate to within close proximity to the city.