Catering Team Leader

Leeds City Council; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Catering Team Leader to oversee kitchen operations and deliver high-quality meals. This role involves managing a small team, ensuring food safety, and maintaining high standards of service. With a focus on staff development and financial management, the ideal candidate will be a confident communicator with a flair for detail and a passion for catering. Join a supportive environment that values diversity and offers career development opportunities, making an impactful contribution to the community through excellent catering services.

Benefits

Competitive salary and leave entitlement

Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Staff benefits for wellbeing and financial support

Qualifications

• Experience in catering organization and staff supervision.
• Knowledge of kitchen safety and hygiene regulations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure meals are well cooked and standards are met.
• Provide leadership and supervision in the kitchen.
• Train staff and conduct performance reviews.

Skills

Effective communication

Staff supervision

Organizational skills

Financial planning

Meal preparation

Knowledge of kitchen safety

Education

Recognized catering qualification

Job description

Join to apply for the Catering Team Leader role at Leeds City Council

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Join to apply for the Catering Team Leader role at Leeds City Council

Job title: Catering Team Leader

Salary: £24,404 - £25,183 pro rata

Hours: 25 – 30 hours

Contract: Permanent

As a Catering Team Leader, you’ll be eager to take forward the catering provision across Catering Leeds. This is a varied role involving working closely with school staff and liaising with parents and children.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You
Our ideal candidate will be a:

• confident communicator
• demonstrate a can-do approach
• have excellent organisation skills
• possess practical catering skills
• have a passion and a flair for detail

About The Role
At Catering Leeds, we aim high. We provide a school meals service covering special diets, maintaining catering equipment, and more.
We are specialists in Food Education with over 25 years’ experience.
You will oversee kitchen operations, supervise a small team, manage stock ordering, and ensure paperwork is completed timely.
Previous Catering Experience Is Preferred.
This is a term-time only role, working 39 weeks per year, plus 3 cleaning days and 2 training days.
What We Offer You
Benefits include:

• competitive salary and leave entitlement
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund
• flexible working arrangements
• career development opportunities
• staff benefits for wellbeing and financial support

How To Apply
Apply online via the application form. Review our guidance and ensure all sections are completed.
For queries or informal chats, contact our recruitment team at 0113 3782323.
We are committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. A DBS check will be required.
Leeds City Council values diversity and is recognized in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer, and a Disability Confident Leader.
All appointments are subject to a six-month probationary period. Employment is conditional on the right to work in the UK.

Job Description
Job purpose
Coordinate a high-quality catering service with excellent customer service, aligning with the vision to be Leeds’ best caterer.

Responsibilities

• Ensure meals are well cooked, appetising, and standards are met
• Provide leadership and supervision in the kitchen
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness
• Train staff and conduct performance reviews
• Develop team skills and motivation
• Meet financial targets related to food costs
• Manage staffing levels and productivity
• Ensure food hygiene and safety standards are maintained
• Complete necessary documentation and stock control
• Promote the catering service’s objectives
• Adhere to council policies on health, safety, and equality

The role may include additional duties as organizational needs evolve.

Essential requirements
Candidates must demonstrate:

• Staff supervision and team organization skills
• Effective communication
• Ability to work under pressure and meet targets
• Financial planning skills
• Meal preparation to contract specifications
• Knowledge of kitchen safety and hygiene regulations
• Experience in catering organisation
• Physical ability for duties like lifting and bending
• Satisfactory DBS clearance
• Flexibility to work in schools during holidays if required
• Commitment to equality and diversity policies

Behavioural & Other Characteristics
Candidates should demonstrate:

• Alignment with Leeds City Council values
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Understanding of equality and diversity policies
• Participation in training and development
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to uphold policies on health and safety, equality, and anti-discrimination

Desirable requirements
Candidates with these skills are preferred but not required:

• Recognized catering qualification
• Experience with administrative procedures and record-keeping
• Stock and food costing knowledge
• Understanding of ISO 9000 standards