Job Description
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
* Execute skilled cooking activities and innovate across the menu, including portion control, plating, texture modification for special diets, theme days and event catering.
* Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and transport of meals.
* Overall management of the dining centre kitchens and the production kitchen.
* Follow EA policies for safe cooking and food service in compliance with food safety legislation.
* Maintain an up‑to‑date allergen matrix and ensure allergen and special dietary requirements are met.
* Record food temperatures and complete required documentation.
* Manage deliveries, ordering, storage and stock‑take to minimise waste and ensure food safety.
* Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment and report defects.
* Report incidents of fire, loss, damage, unfit food or pest infestation.
* Secure premises as required.
* Promote the catering service to increase meal uptake, theme days and events.
* Establish communication links with schools on all aspects of service delivery.
* Investigate and report local customer complaints to the Regional Operations Manager.
* Manage internal risk assessments, including the Fire Risk Assessment.
* Develop a friendly atmosphere and professionally handle feedback, including complaints.
* Carry out other duties assigned by the Regional Operations Manager.
People Management
* Deliver efficient team management and high‑quality service.
* Supervise and direct employees, allocate duties and create work rotas.
* Implement staff policies, manage attendance, monitor absence and perform return‑to‑work interviews.
* Participate in interviewing, selecting and supporting staff and investigations.
* Induct new and relief staff and monitor through probation.
* Provide required training, maintain training record cards and neonatal refresher programmes.
* Hold regular staff meetings and communicate at all levels.
* Manage staff performance, complete appraisals and set targets.
Financial
* Monitor unit financial performance, keep costs within budget and support financial procedures.
* Complete clerical duties such as bookkeeping, ordering goods and accident reporting.
* Handle cash transactions in accordance with EA financial procedures.
* Manage resources – food, labour, overheads, equipment – and apply correct financial procedures.
General Responsibilities
* Comply with Acts of Parliament, statutory legislation, regulations, HACCP, COSHH and other Health and Safety standards.
* Perform necessary administration as required.
* Maintain personal hygiene, appearance and EA uniform code for staff.
* Attend training and meetings as scheduled, including during school closures.
* Promote EA values and ethos and present a customer‑friendly image.
* Follow EA staff code of conduct at all times.
Essential Criteria – Section 1
* Qualifications and Experience:
o Hold NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706‑1 & 706‑2 or equivalent or a higher qualification.
o OR have two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
o Demonstrable supervision or management of a catering team.
o Experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
* Knowledge:
o Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
o Knowledge of special diets, including allergens and ethnic diets.
* Other:
o Willingness to undertake job‑related training.
o Access to a suitable vehicle for mobility or suitable alternative transport.
Additional Essential Criteria – Section 2
* Effective leadership and people management skills to motivate, manage and develop a team.
* Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with team members, management, school staff and parents.
* Effective planning, organisational and decision‑making skills; ability to work under pressure with minimal direction.
* Ability to drive sales processes and initiatives.
* Excellent customer service skills and the ability to promote and develop the catering service for children and young people.
* A team player willing to collaborate with colleagues to deliver quality service.
* Evidence of how experience and approach reflect EA’s ethos and values.
Desirable Criteria – Section 3
* Experience in IT skills, including MS Outlook, Excel, Word and Teams.
* 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. In the event that you are appointed to a post that involves regulated activity, the Education Authority will conduct an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. You are expected to bear the cost of this certificate.
Equal Opportunities Employer
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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