Catering Manager

Shorefields; Rayleigh; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Grove Wood Primary School in Rayleigh is seeking an experienced Catering Manager to lead a kitchen team of 6, serving around 450 meals daily. This part-time, term-time-plus-one-week role is contracted at LGPS Scale 6 with a salary of £22,979 to £24,532 and 32.5 hours per week (7:30am–2:30pm).

You will manage food ordering, safety records, stock takes and budget controls, while ensuring clean, compliant operations and high-quality, nutritious meals for children.

Qualifications

• Previous catering experience, ideally within a school environment / large scale catering.
• Effective communication skills, ability to work at a fast pace and remain calm under pressure.
• Confidence leading and motivating a team in a fast-paced kitchen.
• A positive down to earth approach and strong team‑working skills.
• Passionate about creating healthy, balanced meals that our children enjoy.
• A current level 3 Food Hygiene and Allergen certificate, or willing to undertake.

Responsibilities

• Food ordering and stock management (monthly stock takes).
• Complete food safety records and paperwork on time.
• Budget control and cost monitoring.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen.
• Prepare, cook and serve freshly made meals for ~450 daily.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Healthy meals

Education

Food Hygiene Level 3

Allergen certificate

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC3833-128S Position Type: Catering Pay Range: LGPS Scale 6

Position Start Date: 09/11/2026 Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 05/11/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: TBC

LG Scale 6 (Point 14 to 18). Actual salary: £22,979 to £24,532

Hours: 32.5 hours per week (7.30am to 2.30pm)

Term time plus one week.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced hands‑on Catering Manager, to lead our friendly hardworking kitchen team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a cheerful, reliable and motivated individual with a genuine passion for creating exciting, nutritious meals and delivering an excellent dining experience for our children every day.

The successful candidate will take pride in preparing, cooking and serving freshly made meals in a busy but rewarding environment. You will work alongside an Assistant Catering Manager and a small team of 6 catering assistants, serving an average of 450 meals a day.

The role also includes food ordering, completing food safety records, monthly stock takes, understanding budget control, maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, and ensuring paperwork is completed accurately and on time.

The successful candidate will have:

• Previous catering experience, ideally within a school environment / large scale catering
• Effective communication skills, ability to work at a fast pace and remain calm under pressure
• Confidence leading and motivating a team in a fast-paced kitchen
• A positive down to earth approach and strong team‑working skills
• Passionate about creating healthy, balanced meals that our children enjoy
• A current level 3 Food Hygiene and Allergen certificate, or willing to undertake

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and strongly encouraged. Please call Sarah Mark, HR Officer, to arrange a visit.

Grove Wood Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, medical check and satisfactory references.

We are a TPP (Trauma Perceptive Practice) school

Closing Date: Noon Thursday 5th November 2026

Interview Date: TBC.

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.

Documents

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