Catering Manager

Shorefields; Rayleigh; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Grove Wood Primary School seeks an experienced Catering Manager to lead the kitchen team and deliver nutritious meals for around 450 daily meals. This part-time role runs 32.5 hours a week, typically 7.30am–2.30pm, term time plus one week, with supportive leadership from an Assistant Catering Manager.

You will handle food orders, safety records, and stock takes, while maintaining high standards of service in a busy but rewarding environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering, ideally within a school environment.
• Ability to lead and motivate a small kitchen team.
• Current level 3 Food Hygiene and Allergen certificate, or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Order food and manage stock levels.
• Maintain food safety records and monthly checks.
• Assist in budget control and paperwork completion.
• Ensure kitchen cleanliness and efficient service.

Skills

Catering experience

Team leadership

Food hygiene level 3

Communication skills

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC3833-122S Position Type: Catering Pay Range: LGPS Scale 6

Position Start Date: 05/10/2026 Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 17/09/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: TBC

LG Scale 6 (Point 14 to 18). Actual salary: £22,244 to £23,748 (Pay Award pending)

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

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 17th September 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.