Academy Kitchen Manager

Chulmleigh Community College; Chulmleigh; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Chulmleigh Academy Trust is seeking a reliable and hardworking individual to manage the Academy catering services, planning, preparing and delivering meals across the College and three primary schools. The post is permanent, 37 hours per week across 39 weeks per year (term time with Non-Pupil Days), typically Monday to Friday, 7.00am–3.00pm, with a 30-minute unpaid break.

The role involves close collaboration with the Academy Leadership Team to develop high-quality, nutritious, locally sourced

Qualifications

• Experience in catering with proven track record of running a busy kitchen.
• Strong leadership and team-motivating abilities.
• Good communication with stakeholders and customers.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with stakeholders to provide appropriate menu choices for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards.
• Direct management of catering services including planning, cost control, production and service procedures.
• Oversee day-to-day catering staff, including working patterns and appraisals.
• Prepare and maintain the annual catering budget, including food orders and consumables.
• Minimise waste and monitor performance through KPIs.
• Identify and monitor Key Performance Indicators.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Cost control

Staff management

Communication

Health & Safety knowledge

Education

Catering management qualification

Tools

Kitchen management software

Job description

Chulmleigh Academy Trust is seeking to appoint areliable and hardworking individual to manage the Academy catering services.The successful candidate will be responsible for the planning, preparation anddelivery of meals to the College and our three primary schools.

We are pleased to offer a permanent postcovering 37 hours per week x 39 weeks per annum (term time, including Non-PupilDays). The working pattern is Monday to Friday, 7.00am to 3.00pm (2.30pm onFriday) – This will include a 30-minute unpaid break. We are committed toappointing the very best candidate and there may be some flexibility in theworking pattern. The role will be available from January.

The successful candidate will work closely with theAcademy Leadership Team to manage and further develop the catering provisionfor the Academy.

The successful candidate will have overall responsibilityfor the day to day running of the kitchen ensuring the very best cateringprovision for our pupils and staff focussed on high quality, nutritious,locally sourced fresh foods. Further information iscontained within the Candidate Pack which is available in the attachment sections.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Liaisingwith all stakeholders to ensure the provision of appropriate menu choices andfood services to meet the needs of pupils, staff and visitors.
• Ensuringcompliance with all relevant environmental and health and safety standards.
• The directmanagement of the catering services including planning, cost control,production and service procedures
• Theday-to-day management of the catering staff to include working patterns andstaff appraisals.
• Preparationand maintenance of the annual catering budget to include the ordering of food,consumables and other related products.
• Ensuringwaste is kept to a minimum.
• Identifyingand monitoring Key Performance Indicators

Candidates should be able to demonstrate theirability to lead and motivate a team whilst maintaining high standards andmanaging costs. We would welcome applications from candidates with anestablished background in catering and a proven track record of running a busykitchen. In addition, candidates will require good communication skills and theability to liaise effectively to build good relationships with outsidestakeholders.

Closing Date: Monday,23rd November 2026

Interview Date: Thursday, 3rd December 2026