61065581 Chef Manager

Dorset Council; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution is seeking a Full-Time Chef Manager to lead its kitchen team and provide high-quality meals for students. You will oversee a catering team, ensure meals are healthy and budget-compliant, and promote a positive dining experience. Ideal candidates will have relevant culinary qualifications and experience in a school setting, working collaboratively with staff and students. A passion for food and education is essential for this role, which offers competitive pay and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Friendly staff team

Supported work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a team and commercial kitchen operations.
• Flexibility in working hours as needed.
• Ability to motivate and support team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Catering Assistants to ensure efficient kitchen operation.
• Produce healthy, balanced meals while managing the budget.
• Promote healthy food choices and excellent service.

Skills

Cooking skills

Administrative skills

Team management

Health and safety awareness

Numeracy and literacy

Education

City and Guilds 706 Part 1 and Part 2 or NVQ

Relevant training in commercial catering

Job description

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About the role

Full‑Time Chef Manager

Start Date: 5th January 2026 or as soon as possible after this date

Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3:00pm (35 hours – ½ hour unpaid lunch)

Term‑time plus inset days

Band E – F Scale Points 10 – 15

Full‑Time Equivalent Salary: £27,694 – £30,024

Actual salary: £22,407.43 – £24,292.65 (£14.35 – £15.56 per hour)

This is an exciting opportunity to join Kingsleigh Primary School as a Chef Manager working in our fully equipped kitchen to provide hot school meals for the children at our school. From January 2026 we will bring our catering in‑house working alongside Educatering who will provide menu design support, compliance and be the central point of supply.

Kingsleigh Primary School is an innovative, creative, forward‑thinking place to learn and work, rated 'Good' by Ofsted. We believe in going the extra mile in everything that we do to ensure that our children have the very best start to their education. We are at the centre of the community we serve and see our role as more than just a school but a place where our children, families and staff can truly thrive. Our energetic and enthusiastic children thrive within a dynamic curriculum that sparks curiosity, nurtures individuality, and promotes a lifelong love of learning.

'Where everyone can be great, not just good!'

Responsibilities

• Working in conjunction with our catering partner.
• Leading a team of Catering Assistants in their roles and tasks to ensure that the kitchen is being run efficiently and safely.
• Working within an established budget for food, sundries and labour.
• Producing healthy, nutritionally balanced and tasty meals.
• Promoting and encouraging healthy food choices.
• Always providing excellent service.

Qualifications

• City and Guilds 706 Part 1 and Part 2 or NVQ equivalent.
• Relevant training in operating a commercial catering kitchen.
• Relevant health and safety awareness training.
• Good range of cooking skills.
• Administrative skills relating to stock‑taking tasks.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Ability to manage a team effectively.
• Willingness to work flexibly when required.
• A good sense of humour and able to motivate and support the catering team.

About Us

What we can offer:

• A large, friendly and enthusiastic staff team where everyone works together and is genuinely proud of what we've created.
• A forward‑thinking approach to teaching and learning where risk taking is celebrated and where continuous learning is encouraged through professional development opportunities.
• A modern, spacious, purpose‑built and well‑resourced learning environment.
• Energetic and enthusiastic children who respond well to the creative curriculum we provide.

If this sounds like the kind of school you would like to work in, we look forward to showing you what we are all about. Please visit our school website (www.kingsleighprimary.co.uk) and our Instagram page which will give you a good flavour of life at Kingsleigh Primary School. Tours of the school are encouraged and can be arranged by emailing [email protected].

Please complete the attached application form and email it directly to [email protected].

Closing date/time for applications: Sunday 14th December

Interviews will be held during: TBC

Safeguarding

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful applicant's will have rigorous background checks, including enhanced DBS checks and online search check.