Catering Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Walsall; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Hillary Primary School is seeking a Catering Manager to lead the school kitchen operations, set catering strategy, and drive a high-quality, cost-efficient service for 450-500 meals daily.

You will supervise the catering team, manage budgets and purchasing, ensure food safety compliance, and support school events and menu development. Experience in school catering and strong leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing school catering operations.
• Strong budgeting and cost-control abilities.
• Leadership skills with the ability to develop a catering team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the catering strategy to raise meal uptake and ensure financial sustainability.
• Supervise and develop catering staff, including rota planning and inductions.
• Plan nutritious menus aligned with school standards.
• Manage budget, monitor spend, and report on income against targets.
• Oversee purchasing, stock control, and supplier relations.
• Ensure food safety, HACCP compliance and health and safety records.
• Provide catering for school events and special days.

Skills

Catering management

Budget management

Team leadership

Job description

Catering Manager leading the kitchen at Hillary Primary School, which serves 450-500 meals a day. The role sets catering strategy, leads and develops the catering team, and runs the budget, purchasing and food safety. It suits an experienced catering professional who can lift meal uptake and keep a large-scale service compliant and financially sound. Visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Lead the catering strategy to raise meal uptake, promote healthy eating and secure long-term financial sustainability
• Lead, supervise, develop and performance-manage catering staff, including rotas and induction
• Plan and oversee nutritious meals in line with School Food Standards, including menu development
• Manage dietary requirements, allergens and medical needs safely
• Manage the catering budget, monitor spend and income against targets, and produce budget reports
• Manage purchasing, stock control, supplier relationships and waste reduction
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and compliance with food safety, HACCP, COSHH and health and safety law
• Maintain temperature, cleaning, delivery and safety records and prepare for inspections and audits
• Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained, serviced and used safely
• Produce catering performance reports and use catering and IT systems
• Provide catering for school events, theme days and celebrations
• Follow safeguarding policies and report concerns in line with statutory guidance

Experience

• Experienced catering professional