Catering Manager - School Meals & Team Leadership

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Kilrea; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) invites applications for a Catering Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of the school dining service. You will oversee kitchen production, meal service, stock control and safety compliance across dining centres and production kitchen.

The role requires strong leadership, budget awareness and a focus on quality catering for children and staff, with responsibility for staff development, safety standards, and excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• Hold NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent or higher qualification OR two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Demonstrable experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Knowledge of provision of special diets, e.g. allergens and ethnic diets.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Access to a suitable vehicle (or alternative transport) for mobility requirements.

Responsibilities

• Execute skilled cooking activities and menu preparation, including dietary considerations and special diets.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service and transportation of meals if required.
• Manage dining centre kitchens and production kitchen and ensure food safety standards.
• Record food temperatures and maintain required records.
• Manage deliveries, ordering, storage and stock-take to minimise waste.
• Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment and report defects.
• Promote the catering service to parents, principals, pupils and customers.
• Establish communication with schools on service delivery and handle complaints.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Planning

Customer service

Sales processes

Team player

Education

NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent

Tools

MS Outlook

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) invites applications for a Catering Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of the school dining service. You will oversee kitchen production, meal service, stock control and safety compliance across dining centres and production kitchen.

The role requires strong leadership, budget awareness and a focus on quality catering for children and staff, with responsibility for staff development, safety standards, and excellent customer service.