Catering Manager

Acorn Care and Education; Robertsbridge; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Robertsbridge is seeking a Catering Manager to oversee catering services. You will lead a small team, prepare nutritious meals, and ensure high standards for food safety and hygiene. The ideal candidate has experience in a similar setting, strong management skills, and the ability to plan menus while maintaining a budget. This role offers a salary between £19,000 - £21,000 annually, along with benefits including life assurance and wellbeing support.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Access to mental health support services

Health checks

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in catering within a residential, educational, or similar setting.
• Menu planning experience with attention to nutrition and budgetary control.
• Management experience in a catering environment.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and food hygiene regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school's catering provision and prepare nutritious meals.
• Manage a small team while ensuring food safety standards.
• Plan menus considering dietary needs and budget.
• Maintain kitchen and dining areas, ensuring compliance and cleanliness.

Skills

Catering experience in a residential or educational setting

Menu planning

Management experience

Knowledge of food hygiene regulations

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Details

Job Title: Catering Manager
Location: Mountfield Heath School, Robertsbridge, TN32 5FA
Salary: £19,000 - £21,000 per annum, depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 30 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: December 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

As our Catering Manager, you will:

• Lead the school’s catering provision, preparing nutritious and appealing meals
• Champion healthy eating and support pupils to make positive food choices
• Manage a small, friendly team and ensure compliance with food safety standards
• Play a key role in our successful healthy start and wellbeing initiatives
• Oversee the daily operation of the kitchen, ensuring a clean, hygienic, and well-presented environment. Manage stock, monitor portion control and waste, and maintain high standards of health, safety, and hygiene across the kitchen and dining areas.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus with reference to dietary needs, nutrition, and budgetary requirements
• Prepare, cook, and serve meals efficiently, maintaining high quality and presentation
• Supervise and support kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and positive environment
• Maintain kitchen and dining areas, including setup, cleaning, and compliance with COSHH regulations
• Monitor stock, place orders, and manage relationships with suppliers
• Respond flexibly to urgent or last-minute service requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience in catering within a residential, educational, or similar setting
• Menu planning experience with attention to nutrition and budgetary control
• Management experience in a catering environment
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and food hygiene regulations

This is a rewarding role where your leadership will directly impact the daily experience of pupils and staff. If you are passionate about delivering high-quality meals, managing a dedicated team, and ensuring a welcoming school environment, Mountfield Heath School is the perfect place for your next career step.

About Us

Mountfield Heath School caters for autistic boys and girls aged 5–11, many of whom have additional needs. Our independent special educational needs provision currently supports 44 pupils, increasing to 45 in January, on a spacious site with large classrooms and dedicated outdoor learning areas. Our aim is simple: to equip every child with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We focus on preparing pupils not just for school success but for life beyond, encouraging them to reach high standards in every aspect. Located in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, the school is within easy commuting distance of Hastings, Royal Tunbridge Wells, and surrounding areas, offering an exciting opportunity to join a nurturing and forward-thinking school community.

For over 19 years Options Autism has provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running. We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.