Catering Manager

Extend Learning Academies Network; West Wick; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution above average

Five paid care days

Inclusive environment

Job summary

Extend Learning Academies Network is seeking a Catering Manager to lead our central catering services across ELAN schools. You will drive nutritious, high-quality meals while ensuring service standards, cost control and compliance with safety regulations.

You will manage menus, coordinate with suppliers, and lead a team to deliver a welcoming dining experience for pupils during term-time. Join a diverse, supportive community that values care, creativity and excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering management or supervising a kitchen team.
• Knowledge of health and safety practices relevant to school catering.
• Ability to manage menus, stock and supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Adapt trusts menus to school requirements with cost and nutrition in mind.
• Ensure food is produced per menu and quantities meet service needs.
• Identify stock requirements and place orders with nominated suppliers.
• Ensure food at service meets required standards.
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Supervise teams with clear duties and motivation.
• Attend training sessions, meetings and parent evenings as needed.
• Maintain health and safety standards across operations.

Skills

Leadership

Stock control

Food safety

Menu adaptation

Communication

Job description

Are you passionate about nourishing young minds through healthy, delicious food?

We have a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated catering manager to join the central services team at Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) to ensure that our schools provide not only culinary expertise but also a commitment to creating a positive and welcoming dining experience for our pupils. You’ll play a vital role in helping children thrive by providing nutritious, high-quality meals that fuel their learning and development.

Hours: 32 hours and 30 minutes, Monday-Friday, term-time

Actual salary: £20,950.74

Interview: 19 October 2026

ELAN is proud to be part of a diverse and supportive community, where collaboration is at the heart of what we do. You’ll work closely with staff, suppliers, families and the Catering Operations Manager, to ensure our kitchen runs efficiently and reflects our values of care, creativity, and excellence.

We work to be at the forefront of education, giving our pupils a spectacular education and creating well-rounded people who are willing and capable of making a positive contribution to their community. To achieve this we are looking for inspiring staff to be a champion for all children, with a passion to see every child become the best that they can be. We are an inclusive school and can offer you the opportunity to work with children from different backgrounds and with a range of needs.

If you're ready to lead with passion, take pride in high standards, and be part of a team that values hard work and heart, we’d love to hear from you.

You will drive an efficient and effective catering service in line with company/school standards of service, quality and presentation, whilst complying with legislation and financial target and lead by example.

Key responsibilities:

• Adapt the trusts menus to the requirements of the school, with consideration of cost and nutritional standards.
• Ensure that all food is produced as per the menu and ensure there are sufficient quantities to meet the service requirements.
• Identify stock requirements and place orders using nominated suppliers.
• Ensure that all food at the point of service is to the required standard.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Supervise the teams in terms of allocation of duties and standards, communicating effectively and motivating individuals.
• Attend any training sessions, meetings and parent evenings in relation to your duties.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety practices

Please read the job description for full details

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• We are helping you take care of your future with a pension contribution well above average.
• We are helping you take care of your family, by offering five paid care days (on a pro rata basis). For more information about all of our benefits, please visit our benefits page.
• We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Our goal is to ensure that every pupil and staff member feels included and supported, encouraging a community where everyone can thrive together.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.