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 our children, young people, and staff.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Service Delivery
* Execute skilled cooking activities and innovate across the full range of menu provisions, including preparation of menus, portion control, plating presentation, special dietary meals and theme days/events.
* Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and transportation of meals where required.
* Manage both dining centre kitchens and the production kitchen.
* Follow EA policies and procedures for safe cooking and food service to meet current food safety legislation.
* Ensure allergen and special dietary requirements are met and the Allergen Matrix is always up to date.
* Record food temperatures and complete required records.
* Manage deliveries, ordering, storage and stock-take to ensure food safety and minimum wastage.
* Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment and report any defects.
* Report incidents of fire, loss, damage, unfit food, or pest infestation.
* Secure premises when required.
* Promote the catering service to parents, principals, pupils and customers to increase meal uptake.
* Establish effective communication with the school on all service delivery aspects.
* Investigate and report local‑level customer complaints to the Regional Operations Manager.
* Manage internal risk assessments, including the Fire Risk Assessment.
* Develop a friendly atmosphere and handle feedback, including complaints.
* Perform other duties assigned by the Regional Operations Manager as required.
People Management
* Efficiently manage the teams to deliver a high‑quality service.
* Supervise and direct employees, allocate duties and work rotas.
* Implement staff policies relating to discipline, grievance, attendance, absence, and Return to Work Interviews.
* Participate in staff interviewing, selection, and support investigations as needed.
* Induct new staff and monitor them throughout probation.
* Deliver required training and maintain training records.
* Communicate through regular staff meetings.
* Manage staff performance, complete appraisals, and set targets.
Financial
* Monitor the unit’s financial performance, maintain costs within budgeted targets, and support financial procedures.
* Complete clerical duties: bookwork, ordering goods, and accident reporting.
* Handle cash transactions and adhere to accurate cash handling procedures.
* Manage all resources, including food, labour, overheads and equipment, ensuring correct financial procedures are followed.
General Responsibilities
* Comply with Acts of Parliament, Statutory Legislation, Regulations, Codes of Practice, HACCP, COSHH and other legal requirements.
* Perform required administration.
* Maintain personal hygiene and appearance, and enforce the EA uniform code.
* Attend training sessions and meetings, including during school closures.
* Promote and uphold the values and ethos of the Education Authority.
* Follow EA staff code of conduct at all times.
This job description will be reviewed and may be adjusted as circumstances change. Additional duties of a similar nature may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay, and pay due regard to equality legislation and dignity at work.
Essential Criteria
* Qualifications and Experience: Hold NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706‑1 & 706‑2 or equivalent, or have two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
* Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
* Experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
* Knowledge of HACCP.
* Knowledge of special diets, e.g. allergens and ethnic diets.
* A willingness to undertake job‑related training.
* Access to a suitable vehicle or appropriate alternative transport to meet mobility requirements.
Additional Essential Criteria (Interview Stage)
* Evidence of effective leadership and people management skills; motivation, management, and development of a team.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with team members, management, school staff, and parents.
* Effective planning, organisational and decision‑making skills; ability to work under pressure and independently.
* Ability to drive sales processes and initiatives.
* Excellent customer service skills and promotion of the catering service for children and young people.
* A team player willing to collaborate with colleagues to deliver a quality service.
* Evidence of alignment with EA’s ethos and values.
Desirable Criteria
* Demonstrable experience in IT skills, including MS Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
* Demonstrable experience in delivering training.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. If the role involves regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required. The applicant will be responsible for the cost of the certificate.
Equal Opportunities
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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