About The Role
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Number of Positions:
Qualifications Required: Hold or be working towards NVQ Level 2 Food Preparation and Cooking or an equivalent qualification
Start Date: 1st December 2025
Salary: £24,998 per annum
We are currently seeking a committed and experienced Catering Manager to lead the delivery of an outstanding, efficient and customer-focused catering service at MEA Central.
This is a Grade 5, permanent post working 35 hours per week, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £24,998 and the full time equivalent is £29,064.
As Catering Manager, you will oversee all aspects of the school’s catering service, from managing staff and ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, to overseeing finances and delivering high quality, nutritious meals that support a healthy learning environment.
About the role:
* We are seeking a Catering Manager to be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient operation of all aspects of the catering service in a high school setting, including management of the team, cash reconciliation and the completion of all financial returns.
* You will report to the Head of Catering and manage catering staff within the school.
* You will work closely with school leadership colleagues and catering colleagues across the Trust as well as external contractors.
* You will report to the Trust’s Catering Managers and manage the school-based catering team, working closely with the school’s leadership team, catering colleagues across the Trust, and external contractors.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Leading a quality, cost-effective catering service in line with agreed service level agreements (SLAs), health regulations and Trust policies.
* Adhering to pre-planned menus that meet both nutritional standards and customer expectations.
* Managing financial tasks, including cash reconciliation, ordering, and completing returns in line with Trust financial procedures.
* Line-managing the catering team, including training and development, attendance, performance management and payroll returns.
* Delivering a courteous, responsive and inclusive catering service to scholars, staff and visitors.
* Ensuring full compliance with food hygiene, COSHH and health & safety regulations.
* Playing an active role in service improvements, including trialling new menu ideas and seeking feedback.
* Supporting the Trust’s values and safeguarding responsibilities.
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive individual with:
* Catering qualifications such as NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking (or working towards it), plus a Foundation Food Hygiene Certificate.
* Operational experience of managing a high-volume catering service where quality, service and detail are prioritised.
* Strong people management skills and the ability to lead and develop a diverse team.
* Excellent literacy and numeracy skills for accurate administration and record-keeping.
* Knowledge of food safety, health and safety, and allergen regulations.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to converse at ease in accurate spoken English.
* A commitment to safeguarding, equality and professional development.
About the Candidate
Working for Prospere Learning Trust
Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.
* High quality CPD for all roles
* Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
* Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
* Good holidays – teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
* Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
* Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
* Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
* Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
* Mental Health First Aid in every school
* Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
* bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases
Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk
About Us
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We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, younger learners and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. The above post will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here .
This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable.
We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation