Catering Manager

Shorefields; Harlow; Remote; GBP 14,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

13 days school holidays

IT equipment

Growth opportunities

Pension scheme (LGPS or TPS)

Flexible working

Job summary

Abbotsweld Primary Academy is seeking a part-time Catering Manager to lead our school kitchen, plan menus, and deliver nutritious meals to pupils. You will manage budgets, promote school meals to families, and ensure high hygiene standards while cooking appealing, home‑cooked dishes.

The role involves following approved recipes, maintaining safety, and collaborating with staff to support curriculum goals. Term-time only, 25 hours/week, with positive development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a kitchen, preferably in a school setting.
• Ability to plan and develop nutritious school meals.
• Proven high standards of hygiene and food preparation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a budget.
• Plan and develop menus meeting standards.
• Promote school meals to parents and pupils.
• Cook great food with attention to taste and nutrition.
• Maintain high hygiene and food safety practices.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Follow the agreed menu and recipes.
• Demonstrate patience and enthusiasm with children.
• Be a team player.
• Maintain cleanliness to meet statutory school regulations.

Skills

Budget management

Menu planning

Hygiene & food safety

Communication skills

Tools

Kitchen management

Job description

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 04/10/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: week commencing 11th October 2026

Actual Salary: £14,459.93 - £15,151.62, term time only working 36.4 weeks.

Working Hours: 25 hours per week, 9am to 2pm

Abbotsweld Primary Academy are looking for a Catering Manager to join our successful team. The ideal candidate would be an effective role model that sets high expectations and promotes a healthy lifestyle to the pupils. Applicants must be enthusiastic and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Currently we prepare and serve 150+ meals a day; the school is looking to increase this to 200+. We are looking to recruit a friendly and child-focused catering manager to plan and prepare delicious home cooked food for our pupils, someone who has experience of managing a kitchen and who would be willing to become involved in bringing food into the school curriculum.

The successful candidate will:

• Manage a budget
• Plan and develop menus that meet the required standards
• Promote school meals to parents and pupils
• Cook great food!
• Have proven high standards of hygiene and food preparation
• Able to follow sound hygiene practices
• Ensure that health and safety regulations are observed
• Follow the menu and recipes agreed
• Show patience and quiet enthusiasm with the children
• Be a team player
• Maintain a high standard of personal and general cleanliness and hygiene to comply with statutory school regulations.

Additional benefits at working at Abbotsweld Primary Academy:

• Additional 13 days school holidays
• IT equipment relevant to the post
• A supportive team of leaders and staff
• Opportunities for growth and development
• A collaborative environment to work with colleagues across the trust
• Extensive CPD opportunities, with external courses for career development
• Membership of a generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or Teacher Pension Scheme (TPS)
• National pay rates
• Flexible working opportunities
• Supportive special leave requests

Support and training will be available for candidates who demonstrate the necessary skill set.

Visits to the school are welcome and encouraged.In compliance with Safer Recruitment guidelines, CVs cannot be accepted.

NET Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of the Safer Recruitment process all shortlisted applicants will be subject to social media checks. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Information about the School

Welcome to Abbotsweld Primary Academy, 'Where pupils find a Sense of SELF'

It is with pleasure that I welcome you to our school community. We are an aspirational school devoted to pupils reaching academic success, having positive wellbeing and great physical development. We motivate pupils to flourish through our curriculum.

Pupils at Abbotsweld further succeed by taking advantage of our enrichment programme whether it be political debate, performing on stage, playing out on the sports field, being a part of pupil voice programmes, leading a charitable activity or through one of the many clubs available.

Throughout every pupils' time at Abbotsweld they will work so that they can leave us with a full grasp of who they are through our values:

Academic Success - Positive Wellbeing - Physical Development

Please do contact us on 01279 630120 to book a school tour or to discuss the job role further.

Mrs Katherine BensonHead of School, Abbotsweld Primary Academy

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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