Job Title: Catering Manager
Reports To: Regional Operations Manager
Responsible for: Catering Team Members
Job Purpose
The Catering Manager is responsible for the efficient day‑to‑day management of the kitchen. Leadership and team participation are essential to provide a quality catering service to children, young people and staff.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Service Delivery
* Execute skilled cooking activities and innovate across the full menu provisions, including portion control, plating, special dietary meals, texture modification for special diets (IDDSI), theme days/events and function catering where appropriate.
* Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and transportation of meals.
* Manage dining centre kitchens and the production kitchen.
* Follow EA policies and procedures for safe cooking and food service to meet food safety legislation.
* Maintain allergen and special dietary records, ensuring the Allergen Matrix is up to date.
* Record food temperatures and keep required records.
* Manage deliveries, ordering, storage and stock‑take to minimise waste.
* Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment and report defects.
* Report incidents such as fire, loss, damage, unfit food or pest infestation.
* Secure premises as required.
* Promote the catering service to parents, principals, pupils and customers to increase meal uptake, including theme days and events.
* Establish effective communication with schools on all aspects of service delivery.
* Investigate and report customer complaints to the Regional Operations Manager.
* Manage internal risk assessments, including the Fire Risk Assessment.
* Develop a friendly, helpful atmosphere and handle feedback professionally.
* Carry out other duties assigned by the Regional Operations Manager.
People Management
* Efficiently manage teams to deliver a high‑quality service.
* Supervise and direct employees, allocate duties and work rotas, and support operational visits to dining centres.
* Implement staff policies: disciplinary, grievance, attendance, absence monitoring and return‑to‑work interviews.
* Participate in interviewing, selection and induction of staff and support investigations as required.
* Conduct training and maintain training record cards.
* Facilitate regular staff meetings and keep staff informed.
* Manage staff performance, complete appraisals and set targets.
Financial
* Maintain unit financial performance against pre‑budgeted targets and enforce financial procedures.
* Handle clerical duties, bookwork, ordering and accident reporting.
* Manage cash transactions following EA financial procedures.
* Monitor and manage resources, including food, labour, overheads and equipment.
General Responsibilities
* Comply with all Acts of Parliament, statutory legislation, regulations, HACCP, COSHH and other health and safety standards.
* Perform necessary administration.
* Maintain personal hygiene and appearance; enforce EA uniform code.
* Attend scheduled training sessions and team meetings, including during school closures.
* Promote EA values and ethos, presenting a professional image to customers.
* Adhere to EA staff code of conduct at all times.
Qualifications and Experience (Essential)
* Hold NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706‑1 & 706‑2 or equivalent qualification; OR two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
* Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
* Demonstrable experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
* Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
* Knowledge of special diets, allergens and ethnic diets.
* Willingness to undertake job‑related training.
* Access to suitable vehicle (or alternative transport) for mobility requirements.
Skills and Abilities (Essential)
* Evidence of leadership, people management and team motivation.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with team members, management, school staff and parents.
* Strong planning, organisational and decision‑making skills; able to work under pressure with minimal direction.
* Ability to drive sales processes and initiatives.
* Excellent customer service skills and ability to promote the catering service for children and young people.
* Team player willing to work collaboratively to deliver quality service.
* Evidence of values orientation reflecting EA’s ethos and values.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience in IT skills: MS Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams.
* Experience in delivering training.
Disclosure and Safeguarding
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines work directly with children or young people as ‘regulated activity’. An Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required for such positions, at the applicant’s expense.
Equal Opportunities
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment irrespective of race, gender, disability, age, religion, or other protected characteristics.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post‑holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity, pay due regard for equality legislation, and dignity at work at all times.
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