Catering Manager : Food, Leadership and Impact
Use your culinary leadership to make a real difference: we are looking for a Catering Manager to lead our food service in Meldreth.
More Than Just a Kitchen...
Are you a talented Chef Manager or Catering Manager looking to escape the unsociable hours of hospitality without sacrificing your passion for food?
We are looking for a Catering Manager to lead the heart of our home. This is not a standard canteen role; it is a hands:on leadership position where food meets care. You will be ensuring that every meal we serve is not only nutritious and high:quality but tailored to the unique and complex dietary needs of the children and young adults we support.
The Role
Leading a close:knit team (including a Senior Cook and Catering Assistant), you will drive the standards of our onsite catering service. You will champion a person:centred approach to mealtimes, ensuring food is a source of joy, health, and comfort for our service users.
Your key responsibilities will include:
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Hands:on Leadership: Leading from the front in the kitchen while supervising staff, managing rotas, conducting reviews, and fostering a positive, supportive team culture.
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Collaboration: Working closely with therapy, education, and care teams to create inclusive menus that accommodate complex dietary requirements (including dysphagia management) and special themed events.
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Operational Excellence: Managing budgets, stock control, and supplier relationships with a keen eye for detail.
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Safety First: Ensuring absolute compliance with food safety, hygiene, COSHH, and Natashas Law.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a leader who cooks with skill and manages with empathy. You should have:
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Relevant Experience: A background managing catering services within a care, education, or similar setting is essential.
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Leadership Skills: A proven track record of supervising teams, managing performance, and coaching staff to grow in confidence and capability.
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Culinary Expertise: Excellent cooking skills with specific experience catering to complex dietary needs.
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Business Acumen: Experience managing budgets, stock, and documentation with accuracy.
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Tech Savvy: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) is required for menu planning and administrative duties.
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Values: A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable young people.
Why Join Us?
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Work:Life Balance: Enjoy a consistent Monday to Friday schedule:a rarity in the catering industry
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Welcome Bonus: We value your decision to join us, starting with a GBP1,500 bonus.
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Meaningful Work: Every meal you plan and prepare makes a tangible difference in the lives of the people we support.
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Professional Growth: We support your development as a leader, just as you support your team.
Ready to bring your passion to our table?
If you are an organised, compassionate catering professional ready to lead a team in a diverse and inclusive environment, we want to hear from you.
Apply today to start your journey with us.
All applicants will be subject to a safer recruitment process, including an enhanced DBS check.