DescriptionEmployerLocation
St Francis CofE Primary School is seeking to appoint a dedicated and experienced Catering Manager to lead and develop our school catering service. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional who is passionate about high-quality food, healthy eating, and creating a positive dining experience for children. Please see attached job description and person specification for specific details.
About the Role
The Catering Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school kitchen, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, nutritious, and cost-effective catering service. You will lead and supervise the catering team, manage the catering budget, and ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, and statutory requirements.
A key focus of the role is to promote healthy eating and lifelong positive food choices, in line with school and local authority Healthy Eating Policies and national nutritional standards.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead and manage the school catering service, including staff supervision, meal production, service delivery, and premises.
2. Plan, prepare, and cook healthy, nutritionally balanced meals that meet Government standards for school food.
3. Manage the catering budget, monitoring income, expenditure, productivity, and value for money.
4. Order, receive, store, and control food and supplies, ensuring effective stock control, portion control, and minimal waste.
5. Cater for special dietary, cultural, and medical requirements.
6. Maintain excellent standards of hygiene and cleanliness, including HACCP, COSHH, food temperature monitoring, and equipment safety.
7. Recruit, induct, train, and performance-manage catering staff.
8. Promote and market the catering service, including themed menus and promotions to increase meal uptake.
9. Work closely with the Headteacher, Business Manager, staff, pupils, and parents to support the ethos and values of the school.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
10. NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Catering.
11. A valid Food Hygiene Certificate (advanced level or willingness to work towards).
12. Experience of large-scale catering (300–400 covers), ideally within a school or similar setting.
13. Knowledge of nutritional standards, special diets, and allergen management.
14. Strong organisational, communication, and leadership skills.
15. The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
16. A commitment to safeguarding, health and safety, and promoting a welcoming school environment.
What We Offer
17. A supportive and friendly school community.
18. The opportunity to make a real difference to children’s health and wellbeing.
19. Term-time working pattern, supporting work–life balance.
Safeguarding
St Francis CE VA Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Safeguarding Statement
St Francis CE VA Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.