Catering Manager

Orchard Manor School; Dawlish; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave entitlements

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing tools

Training & development

Job summary

Orchard Manor School in Dawlish is seeking a Catering Manager to oversee day-to-day operation of the school's catering facilities, lead staff across two kitchens and maintain high standards.

You will plan menus, manage food orders and budgets, ensure food safety with HACCP, and support pupils with dietary needs while engaging families and driving continuous quality improvements.

The role offers a collaborative environment within a values-driven trust and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience leading catering operations in an educational setting.
• Ability to develop nutritionally balanced menus and respond to dietary needs (SEND).
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety compliance.
• Strong budgeting and supplier management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of school catering facilities across two kitchens.
• Manage catering staff, workloads and professional development.
• Plan menus, food orders, stock control and budgets.
• Develop varied menus and address pupils dietary requirements.

Skills

Catering management

Team leadership

Menu planning

Food safety HACCP

Budget management

Job description

About us:

Orchard Manor School is a vibrant, values-driven specialist community where every child is known, respected and supported to belong. Rooted in strong relationships and a deep commitment to respect, kindness and wellbeing, our school is a place where pupils and staff thrive together. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, reflective culture, where learning is meaningful, personalised and ambitious, and where staff are well supported to continually develop their expertise. Set within beautiful woodland grounds in the seaside town of Dawlish, Orchard Manor offers a unique environment where education extends beyond the classroom, preparing young people for confident, independent lives within their communities

The Role:

• As Catering Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operation of the school's catering facilities, ensuring meals are prepared, cooked and served to a consistently high standard. You will manage catering staff across both school kitchens, coordinating workloads, supporting professional development and fostering a positive and collaborative team culture
• You will take responsibility for menu planning, food ordering, stock control and budget management, ensuring an efficient and cost-effective service while maintaining excellent quality and value. You will also develop varied and nutritionally balanced menus that respond to the sensory preferences, dietary needs and individual requirements of pupils with autism and other SEND needs.
• Working closely with school staff and families, you will support pupils with specialist dietary requirements and help promote healthy eating through engaging activities, themed events and seasonal menu initiatives.
• Food safety will be central to your role. As the designated lead for food safety, you will oversee HACCP procedures, maintain accurate records, undertake audits and inspections, prepare for Environmental Health visits and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations.
• You will also build positive relationships with suppliers and contractors, support catering functions and events, monitor service performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the catering provision.

Our Total Reward Offer:

The Special Partnership Trust recognises the importance of developing a properly implemented People Strategy to underpin the overall strategic aims of the Trust.

Our People Strategy is designed to help us attract prospective high calibre candidates, as well as drive engagement, productivity and retention of our high performing and high potential employees. It reflects our belief in putting our people first. This does not mean putting our learners second. It is based on the philosophy that if we create a positive and rewarding work environment, if our staff feel motivated, well managed and well supported, they in turn will provide the best possible outcome for our learners.

We recognise that our total reward offer, has got to consist of more than just money. We seek to provide our staff with a diverse range of benefits that support their day to day needs both at work and outside of work. These include generous leave entitlements and pension scheme as well as access to health/wellbeing tools, training & development, career pathways and opportunities to ensure they feel valued.

Please visit the Special Partnership website, www.specialpartnership.org for further information about our Trust, or to learn more about our People Strategy and Benefits click here.

Safeguarding:

The Special Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of checks and references, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In accordance with guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education; the Trust will undertake an online search of all shortlisted candidates.