Area Cook Manager

Impact Food Group; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal on shift

Provided uniform

Training and qualifications support

Staff discount scheme

Job summary

Impact Food Group in Portsmouth is seeking an experienced Cook Manager to provide area support across four primary schools. You will oversee the onsite Cook/Chef managers, train staff, conduct audits, manage orders and HR duties, while covering sickness to ensure service continuity.

You will lead a hands-on kitchen team delivering fresh, seasonal meals, ensuring high standards and smooth service in a high-volume school catering environment.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Proactive hands-on approach with high standards for food quality and service.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations across 4 primary schools in the Portsmouth area.
• Lead, motivate and develop the catering team.
• Prepare and serve fresh, seasonal meals for students.
• Plan menus, manage stock and ensure food safety compliance.
• Liaise with onsite clients and stakeholders to ensure smooth service.

Skills

Kitchen management

Leadership

Catering

Food hygiene

Training staff

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG)is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers,serving aroundone million students every dayacross more than1,500 schools.We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands includeInnovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

The role…

Job Title: Cook Manager - Area Support- Primary Schools

School Location: Portsmouth Area

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-3.30pm (40hours per week)

Working Weeks: 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

Pay Details: £30,000 per Annum

What will I be doing?

This is an area support role, overseeing 4local primary schools in the Portsmouth area. You will support the onsite Cook / Chef managers, assist with training, audits, orders, HR and management duties.Covering any sickness and making sure all services run smoothly,

As a Area supportCook Manager, you’ll lead a friendly kitchen team to deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students each day. This is a hands-on management role, where you’ll oversee the kitchen, support your team, and ensure smooth service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen
• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for the school
• Planning menus, managing stock, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
• Liaising directly with onsite clients and stakeholders
• Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently

We’re not in the business of making school food—we’re here to make great food, and that’s why our customers love us.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for an experienced Cook/Chef Manager with strong leadership skills and a passion for food.

• Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
• Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal food
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Good organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards
• Goodunderstanding of food hygiene and safety regulations

If you’re enthusiastic about cooking and leading a team to deliver quality food, we want to hear from you.

What’s in it for you?

This role offers an excellent work-life balance:

• Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
• All school holidays off
• Free meal on shift and provided uniform

Plus:

• Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
• Access to free qualifications
• Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers

You’ll also have the chance to help children explore healthy eating and build positive food habits that last a lifetime.

Next steps

Please note: An interview, trade test &kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are requiredtoundergo an enhancedDBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for.

We area committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail withinyourapplication. Allinformation is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.