Catering Manager

Sodexo Group; Stourbridge; On-site; GBP 28,930,000 - 31,685,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo Group is seeking an experienced Catering Manager to lead Ridgewood High School’s catering operation. The role covers daily kitchen management, food production, team leadership, menu delivery, stock control and budget oversight, ensuring high-quality service for pupils and staff.

Previous school catering experience is essential. You will be hands-on in the kitchen, build effective relationships with school staff, and drive continuous improvement in service standards while complying with

Qualifications

• Must have expertise cooking on a large scale (100–1300 students).
• Minimum 2 years' professional catering experience, hands-on cooking.
• Previous school/education catering experience essential.
• Experience with stock control, ordering and cost management.
• Strong organisation, communication and time management skills.
• Hands-on leader able to lead by example.
• Ability to manage allergens and maintain safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team.
• Plan and organise daily kitchen operations and staff duties.
• Prepare and cook high-quality food using fresh ingredients and standardized recipes.
• Manage high-volume food production and busy lunchtime services.
• Create and deliver appropriate school menus.
• Manage food ordering, deliveries, storage, stock rotation and stocktakes.
• Monitor food, labour and other costs and work within budgets.
• Minimise waste and identify efficiency improvements.
• Maintain food hygiene, health and safeguarding standards.
• Complete audits and compliance checks.
• Train and develop team members and respond to feedback.
• Build strong relationships with the school and stakeholders.
• Ensure kitchen operates in line with Sodexo policies.

Skills

Large-scale cooking

Hands-on leadership

School catering experience

Budget management

Allergen controls

Stock management

Team leadership

Food safety

Job description

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“For a job that’s a perfect mix of passion, perks and potential”

• £16.00 per hour
• 35hours per week
• Working pattern: Monday - Friday (7am - 3pm)
• Term Time only(39week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks)**

**Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.**

Job Introduction

Sodexo is looking for an experienced Catering Manager to lead the catering operation at Ridgewood High School.

This is a hands-on management position responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including food production, team leadership, menu delivery, stock, budgets, food safety and the overall quality of service provided to pupils and staff.

Previous experience working in a school or education catering environment is essential. We are looking for an experienced catering professional who can confidently take ownership of a busy school kitchen and lead the team from day one.

This role is suited to someone looking for a long-term opportunity and who takes pride in delivering a consistent, high-quality catering service.

What you do:

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team.
• Plan and organise daily kitchen operations and staff duties.
• Prepare and cook high-quality food using fresh ingredients and standardised recipes.
• Manage high-volume food production and busy lunchtime services.
• Create and deliver appropriate school menus.
• Manage food ordering, deliveries, storage, stock rotation and stocktakes.
• Monitor food, labour and other operational costs and work within agreed budgets.
• Minimise food waste and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Manage allergen information and special dietary requirements.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, health and safety and safeguarding standards.
• Complete routine audits and compliance checks.
• Train and develop team members.
• Build a strong professional relationship with the school and respond positively to feedback.
• Monitor service standards and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure the kitchen operates in line with Sodexo and school policies and procedures.

What you bring:

• Must have expertise on cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 – 1300 students.
  • Previous school, academy, college or education catering experience.
  • Previous experience as a Cook Manager, Chef Manager, Catering Manager, Head Chef or similar senior catering position.
  • Minimum 2 years' professional catering experience, including hands-on cooking.
  • Experience supervising or managing a catering team.
  • Experience cooking at volume and managing busy service periods.
  • Experience with fresh ingredients, recipes, menu planning and food preparation.
  • Experience with stock control, ordering and cost management.
  • Good knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and allergens.
  • Strong organisation, communication and time-management skills.
  • Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
  • Professional, reliable and positive approach to work.
  • Willingness to be hands-on and lead by example.

The Person

You will be a confident catering professional who can manage people while remaining hands-on in the kitchen.

You should be comfortable taking responsibility for food quality, service standards, staffing, stock and costs, while maintaining a positive relationship with the school.

Most importantly, you should understand that school catering requires a different approach to restaurant or hotel catering, including working to short service periods, managing pupil requirements, maintaining allergen controls and working closely with school staff.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance tobe part of something greater. You’ll belong in a