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We are currently looking to recruit a dedicated Catering Manager to lead our school kitchen, ensuring that students and staff are served healthy, balanced, and tasty meals every day. You will oversee menu design, food preparation, manage stock and budgets, ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and inspire a team of kitchen staff to deliver exceptional service.
The ideal candidate will have experience of leading and motivating a catering team to ensure high quality food services across the school day. You should have an understanding of DfE meal guidelines, food hygiene (ideally holding at least a Level 2 certificate but not essential as training will be given) and health and safety regulations.
Purpose of the Role
To prepare, cook and serve nutritious, balanced meals for pupils and staff in accordance with National School Food Standards and school policies. The role includes managing kitchen operations, maintaining high standards of food hygiene and safety, and ensuring that all children receive healthy and appealing meals.
Key Responsibilities
Food Preparation and Cooking
1. Prepare and cook meals for pupils and staff, following agreed menus and nutritional standards.
2. Adapt menus to meet special dietary needs and allergies as required.
3. Ensure meals are cooked and served at the correct temperature and presentation standard.
Menu Planning & Stock Control
4. Plan and develop menus in collaboration with school leadership or business manager.
5. Monitor food supplies and order stock to maintain appropriate levels and minimise waste.
6. Work within budgetary constraints and help achieve cost targets.
Hygiene, Safety & Compliance
7. Maintain kitchen cleanliness and comply with Health & Safety and food hygiene regulations.
8. Ensure safe storage of food and safe use of kitchen equipment.
9. Complete records and documentation as required (e.g. food temperatures, cleaning logs).
Service & Customer Care
10. Serve meals courteously to pupils and staff, encouraging healthy choices.
11. Address queries from staff or parents about menus and ingredients where needed.
12. Support special events or functions where catering is required.
Teamwork
13. Work collaboratively with kitchen assistants and other support staff (if any).
14. Attend relevant meetings or training to improve kitchen operations and food quality.
Person Specification
Essential
15. Experience in food preparation and cooking, ideally in catering or large-scale kitchen environments.
16. Good understanding of food hygiene and safety (Level 2 Food Hygiene certification desirable).
17. Ability to work independently, organise workload and meet deadlines.
18. Good communication skills and a positive attitude to working with children and staff.
Desirable
19. Previous experience in a school or educational setting.
20. Supervisory experience or willingness to manage kitchen assistants.
Terms
21. Term-time only (with possible training days as required).