Catering Manager

Governing Body; Tendring; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Governing Body seeks an enthusiastic Catering Manager to lead the day-to-day running of the school kitchen. You will prepare and serve nutritious meals for pupils and staff and ensure the kitchen operates efficiently while meeting health and safety standards.

This hands-on role requires managing stock and budgeting, maintaining high hygiene standards, and coordinating the lunchtime service with school leadership. Experience in school catering and safeguarding knowledge are valued.

Qualifications

• Has experience in catering or food preparation (school setting desirable but not essential).
• Holds a Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
• Holds an Allergen Awareness qualification.
• Is organized, reliable and confident managing and running a kitchen.
• Has knowledge of budgeting and menu-planning.
• Is passionate about providing fresh, delicious, nutritious meals.
• Safeguarding knowledge and understanding.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve healthy, balanced meals for pupils and staff.
• Organise and carry out a smooth lunchtime service.
• Order food supplies and manage stock within a budget.
• Maintain hygiene, cleanliness and food safety standards.
• Keep accurate records for compliance and inspections.

Skills

Food safety L3

Allergen awareness

Budgeting

Menu planning

Organisation

Kitchen management

Job description

We are a friendly, welcoming village school looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Catering Manger to lead the day-to-day running of our school kitchen. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about preparing fresh, home-cooked meals and wants to play an important role in supporting children's health and wellbeing. About the role: You will be responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, high-quality meals for our pupils and staff, while ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently and meets all food hygiene and safety standards. This is a hands‑on role which includes: · Preparing, cooking and serving healthy, balanced meals · Organising and carrying out a smooth lunchtime service · Ordering food supplies and managing stock within a budget · Maintaining excellent hygiene, cleanliness, and food safety standards · Keeping accurate records for compliance and inspections,

• Responsible for the operational efficiency of the catering service, planning, preparation and presentation of food and beverages to the required standard within the budget limitations as agreed with the school management.
• Maintenance of the highest standards of hygiene and health and safety.

Duties CATERING

• To be responsible for the preparation and presentation of all food to the required statutory regulations and school standards.
• To ensure that methods of preparation and presentation comply with current recognised catering standards and food safety legislation.
• To order raw materials and supplies, check deliveries and ensure all raw and cooked food is stored correctly.
• To ensure all cooking staff carry out the preparation and cooking of all meals to the recipe specifications and nutritional guidelines.
• To ensure all staff adhere to the portion standard yields as stated within the recipe specification and required by the school.
• To be responsible for the monitoring of menu planning and ordering.
• To ensure the prompt service of all meals, as required by the Headteacher.
• To implement local promotions/theme days, as required.
• To ensure that all catering activities are carried out in line with the pre‑agreed school budget.
• To ensure any comments regarding the catering operation - positive or otherwise, are noted and acted upon appropriately.
• To plan, implement and review a cycle of nutritionally balanced menus to be revised at regular intervals as instructed by the Headteacher.
• To adjust the menu to eliminate unpopular or costly items.
• To purchase all supplies through agreed suppliers and advise the Headteacher of any unresolved difficulties with suppliers.
• To be responsible for stock control and rotation of stock.

COMMUNICATIONS

• To maintain regular contact with the Headteacher, other senior managers and the Office Manager.
• To actively monitor satisfaction with food provided on a weekly basis.
• To liaise with the Essex School Meals Advisory Service
• To use IT to manage stock, place orders and build relationships with suppliers.
• To report absence to the Office Manager by 7.00am

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• To report all accidents and unfit foods.
• To ensure that all aspects of health and safety legislation are complied with so far as the catering service is concerned.
• To ensure that the cleaning schedule is complied with and carry out cleaning as required

OTHER

• To take all necessary steps to ensure maximum security of kitchen supplies, equipment and monies.
• To undertake the appropriate promotion and marketing of the catering service.
• To identify and recommend improvements and cost savings to the benefit of the customer.

The above duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required by the Headteacher to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade.

General

• To participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with line manager.
• To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health & safety in the workplace
• To ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the School's Equal Opportunities Policy
• The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

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.

• Has experience in catering or food preparation (school setting desirable but not essential)
• Holds a Level 3 Food Safety qualification
• Holds an Allergen Awareness qualification
• Is organized, reliable and confident managing and running a kitchen
• Has knowledge of budgeting and menu-planning
• Is passionate about providing fresh, delicious, nutritious meals
• Safeguarding knowledge and understanding

If you are keen to come and join our friendly team, we would love to hear from you!