Catering Manager

Milford Infant Academy; Godalming; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully funded Level 3 Food Hygiene培训

Access to LEO Academy Trust benefits

Job summary

Milford Infant Academy in Godalming, Surrey, is seeking a Caterer to lead our kitchen operations and catering team. You will work with school leaders and the Trust Catering Manager to shape a positive lunchtime experience that encourages healthy eating and social interaction among our children.

The role covers food preparation, service, staff leadership, and budget oversight, with term-time hours and a start date of 04 January 2027. Level 2 Food Hygiene is required, with Level 3 to be completed.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or above (Essential).
• Willingness to undertake and complete Level 3 Food Hygiene certification (Essential).
• Commitment to continuing professional development and statutory training.
• Working knowledge of school food provision or a comparable volume catering environment (Essential).

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals in accordance with menus and nutritional standards.
• Oversee dining facilities setup, seating, serving, and clearing to ensure smooth service.
• Support the development and monitoring of the Trust Food Policy and healthy eating initiatives.
• Line manage catering assistants and deploy staff to ensure efficient kitchen operations.
• Order stock, check deliveries, and conduct monthly kitchen inventory and budget oversight.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Food hygiene knowledge

IT skills

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certification

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Caterer - Milford Infant Academy

Start Date: 04 January 2027

Weekly Working Pattern: Monday - Friday 08:30 - 13.45, term time plus 3 additional days

Milford Infant Academy is a welcoming, vibrant, and caring school judged to be 'Good' by Ofsted in March 2024. Set in spacious, stimulating grounds in Godalming, Surrey, our academy provides a safe and inspiring environment where young pupils feel confident to express themselves and excel in their learning journey.

At the heart of our community is our core vision to help every child "Grow, Learn, Believe, Achieve". We firmly believe that nutritious, high-quality food plays an essential role in a child's health, wellbeing, and educational achievement. As a proud member of LEO Academy Trust, we are dedicated to fostering a welcoming dining environment, delivering high standards of customer care, and instilling healthy eating habits for life.

Role Overview & Main Purpose

We are seeking an enthusiastic, skilled, and dedicated Caterer to lead our kitchen operations and catering team at Milford Infant Academy.

In this vital role, you will lead catering in the cost-effective production and service of delicious, healthy meals. You will work closely with school leaders and the Trust Catering Manager to shape a positive lunchtime experience that encourages healthy eating choices and social interaction among our children.

Key Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Catering Operations

• Prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals in accordance with pre-agreed menus and nutritional standards.
• Oversee the setup, seating plans, serving, and clearing of dining facilities to ensure service runs efficiently and punctually.
• Ensure meals are presented attractively and served in appropriate quantities to meet the needs of pupils and staff.

Healthy Eating & School Engagement

• Support the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Trust’s Food Policy.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Senior Leadership Team on creating a warm, social dining environment.
• Actively encourage children to make healthy choices and enjoy a positive dining experience.

Team Leadership & Staff Management

• Line manage school catering assistants, deploying staff effectively to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
• Hold regular team meetings to address operational matters and foster strong team cohesion.
• Oversee performance management and identify ongoing training needs for kitchen staff.
• Collaborate with the Lead Midday Supervisor to ensure catering and supervisory staff work as a unified team.
• Work closely with the Trust Catering Manager to align the school meal service with broader Trust goals.

Administration & Financial Oversight

• Order sufficient food stock to satisfy all dietary and nutritional requirements of pupils and staff.
• Inspect deliveries upon arrival for quantity and quality, resolving any supplier discrepancies promptly.
• Conduct monthly stock takes and maintain up-to-date kitchen inventory records.
• Manage the school catering budget responsibly, pursuing efficiencies and avoiding overspending.

Hygiene, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain exemplary kitchen hygiene standards, ensuring basic food hygiene principles are understood and applied by all staff.
• Strictly comply with food safety legislation, including the Food Safety Act 1990, Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Act as the primary school contact for local authority Environmental Health Inspectors.
• Maintain site security and comply with all Trust policies regarding safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or above (Essential).
• Willingness to undertake and complete Level 3 Food Hygiene certification (Essential).
• Commitment to continuous professional development and required statutory training.

Knowledge & Experience

• Working knowledge of school food provision or a comparable volume catering environment (Essential).
• Practical understanding of kitchen machinery, appliances, and catering equipment (Desirable).
• Thorough understanding of food safety, hygiene regulations, and allergen awareness.

Skills & Personal Competencies

• Ability to manage kitchen budgets effectively and recognize the financial impact of overspending.
• Strong leadership skills with the confidence to manage a team and conduct constructive conversations (Desirable).
• Practical IT skills, including experience with Google Workspace, internet browsing, and email communication (Essential).
• Warm, caring, and approachable demeanor when interacting with young pupils to make mealtime enjoyable.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Fully funded Level 3 Food Hygiene training and tailored professional development opportunities.
• A supportive, friendly school community rated 'Good' by Ofsted.
• Access to LEO Academy Trust employee benefits, pension scheme, and wellbeing programmes.
• Convenient term-time working hours aligned with the school calendar.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities Statement

LEO Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and relevant pre-employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer dedicated to building an inclusive workforce. If any reasonable adjustments are required for your interview, please let the team know in advance.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early.