Catering Manager

Teach Now; Essex; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time only

Professional development

Wellbeing focus

School holidays off

Job summary

Teach Now is recruiting a Catering Manager for a primary school in Essex. The role is permanent, part-time with 30 hours per week during term-time, offering a salary of £16,058 to £16,843 per annum plus £635.56 Inner Fringe Allowance.

You will oversee the day-to-day running of the kitchen, lead a small team, and ensure meals for pupils are nutritious, safe and served in a welcoming environment. You should have catering experience, a Level 2 or 3 Food Hygiene qualification, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or kitchen environments.
• Experience in school/education or high-volume catering is beneficial.
• Level 2 or Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification.
• Ability to supervise and support kitchen staff.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and allergen requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals in line with menus and standards.
• Lead and support a small kitchen team during daily service.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety.
• Order supplies, monitor stock levels and manage resources within budget.
• Keep records of safety, hygiene and compliance accurately.
• Manage allergens and dietary requirements appropriately.
• Contribute to a positive dining experience and healthy eating ethos.

Job description

Catering Manager – Primary School

Location: Essex

Salary: £16,058 – £16,843 per annum (actual salary) + £635.56 Inner Fringe Allowance

Contract: Permanent, Part-Time

Hours: 30 hours per week

Working Pattern: Term time only, 38 weeks per year

Start Date: As soon as possible, subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks

Teach Now is recruiting an experienced and enthusiastic Catering Manager to join a welcoming primary school in Essex. This is a fantastic permanent opportunity for someone who takes pride in delivering fresh, nutritious meals and enjoys leading a busy school kitchen.

As Catering Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring pupils and staff receive high-quality meals in a safe, organised and welcoming environment. This is a hands-on role combining food preparation and service with team supervision, stock management and food safety compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious, appealing meals in line with school menus and nutritional standards.
• Lead and support a small kitchen team to ensure an efficient daily service.
• Maintain consistently high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety.
• Order supplies, monitor stock levels and manage food resources effectively within budget.
• Complete relevant food safety, hygiene and compliance records accurately.
• Ensure dietary requirements and allergens are managed carefully and appropriately.
• Help create a positive dining experience for pupils while supporting the schools healthy eating ethos.

About You

We are looking for a Catering Manager who is organised, dependable and genuinely passionate about providing excellent food for children.

You should have:

• Previous experience in catering, professional food preparation or a similar kitchen environment.
• Experience within a school, education or high-volume catering setting would be beneficial.
• A Level 2 or Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification.
• Confidence supervising and supporting other kitchen staff.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and allergen requirements.
• Good organisational and stock-management skills.
• A positive, practical approach and the ability to work effectively during busy service periods.

Benefits:

• Permanent, term-time-only employment with school holidays off.
• A supportive and welcoming school environment.
• Training and opportunities for continued professional development.
• A strong focus on staff wellbeing and healthy work-life balance.
• The opportunity to make a visible difference to childrens health, wellbeing and school experience.

Salary will be determined in line with the advertised scale and the successful candidates relevant qualifications and experience.

Teach Now operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.

We are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination. Teach Now is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance.