Catering Team Leader

Leeds Safe Roads Partnership; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a committed team at Leeds Safe Roads Partnership as a Catering Team Leader, where you'll oversee meal preparation and kitchen operations while ensuring high standards of customer service. With a focus on partnership and community wellbeing, this term-time role offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a positive impact on local schools.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Membership of West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible working arrangements

Clear career pathway and development opportunities

Various staff benefits

Qualifications

• Previous catering experience required.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Knowledge of Health and Hygiene Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise kitchen staff and ensure service standards.
• Manage the preparation and service of meals.
• Lead on stock ordering and maintain kitchen cleanliness.

Skills

Organisation skills

Practical catering skills

Communication

Education

Recognised catering qualification

Job description

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

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

About you

Our ideal candidate will be a:

• have excellent organisation skills
• possess practical catering skills
• have a passion and a flair for detail

About the role

At Catering Leeds, we have set our sights high. We provide a school meals service that covers everything from arranging special diets to maintaining the catering equipment.

We are specialists in Food Education and have over 25 years’ experience of providing a great service to schools and nurseries. Our primary focus is on customer experience.

We want to work with our customers to develop true partnerships which benefit the children of Leeds, making them ready to learn and ready for life.

You will be responsible for the operational efficiency of the kitchen, the preparation of meals, and the day-to-day running of the kitchen. You will supervise a small team, ensuring the required service standards are achieved. You will lead on the ordering of food and other stock and ensure that all kitchen-related paperwork is completed timely.

Previous catering experience is preferred.

This is a term-time only role which requires 39 weeks of working per year, plus 3 cleaning days and 2 training days.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact our dedicated recruitment team on 0113 3782323.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer, and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK—either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme, or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job purpose

To coordinate the provision of a high-quality catering service with excellent customer service and to meet the Catering Leeds vision to be the best caterer in Leeds.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the timely preparation and service of meals that are well cooked and appetising, ensuring that the Catering Leeds ‘Service Standards’ are achieved at all times.
• To provide effective leadership within a kitchen and take responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of kitchen staff.
• Responsible for the cleanliness of the kitchen and servery areas.
• To carry out appropriate on-the-job training as directed.
• To supervise employees’ performance and carry out appraisals and development reviews on time.
• To be responsible for encouraging team development by giving open and honest feedback on performance.
• To develop a competent and motivated team.
• To ensure financial targets are met with regard to food cost on the plate and take remedial action where necessary to meet the targets.
• To supervise and work within staffing targets set to ensure productivity targets are met.
• To ensure that the correct standards of service are achieved in areas as directed.
• To ensure that all meals are produced by the recommended procedures and in accordance with the Client’s quality specifications under the direction of the Business Builder teams.
• To assist in the effective implementation and promotion of Catering Leeds staff development policies.
• To ensure that the necessary standards of food hygiene are always met in relation to statutory regulations and organisational policy, including adherence to HACCP and raw meat handling standards.
• To ensure that Health and Safety standards are always achieved.
• To ensure that all necessary ISO 9002 quality procedures/systems are effectively maintained.
• To complete all appropriate documentation and returns.
• The ordering and control of all stock on site.
• To positively promote the objectives of the Catering Service via the provision of a quality service at all times.
• To ensure compliance with Leeds City Council’s Sickness Absence Policy regarding return to work interviews and the completion of any appropriate documentation.
• To use initiative, welcome change and new ideas.
• To strive to be the best and put customer service as a top priority.
• To be enthusiastic and demonstrate a positive can-do attitude at all times.
• To develop and maintain a committed, enthusiastic, and competent team.
• To be focused and committed to the task, taking responsibility and working to the LCC values.
• To take responsibility for own personal development needs and undertake any appropriate training as requested.

It should be noted that this job description is subject to occasional changes to incorporate other duties and responsibilities in response to organisational change/review and to assist flexibility.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post as specified by the appropriate Business Builder Manager and Business Builder Assistant.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for an interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• The ability to supervise members of staff, work as part of a team, and to organise workload, i.e., Rota.
• The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in person and on the telephone.
• The ability to work under pressure.
• The ability to meet deadlines and targets.
• The ability to plan and work within financial targets.
• The ability to prepare and produce meals to contract specifications.
• The ability to communicate with members of staff and children.
• The knowledge of electrical and kitchen equipment, safety procedures, and kitchen procedures.
• The knowledge of Health and Hygiene Regulations (Kitchen/Personal) and Health and Safety.
• Experience of working within a Catering Organisation.
• Experience of miscellaneous physical duties e.g., bending, lifting, and carrying.
• A flexible Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate.
• Approach to working in other establishments when required.
• Be prepared to work in school holidays when required (unless on a term-time-only contract).
• Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies.
• To demonstrate an enthusiasm for the job.
• To demonstrate a cheerful and happy disposition.
• To demonstrate a love of food.
• To demonstrate a willingness to strive to be the best and put customer service as a top priority.
• Must understand the needs of the customers.
• Must attend refresher training for hygiene every 3 years.
• Must attend CIC training sessions – a minimum of 5 days per year.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required, commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements; however, these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• To hold a recognised catering qualification.
• The knowledge of clerical procedures and appropriate documentation.
• Experience of administration and maintaining accurate records and procedures.
• Experience of ordering and control of stock and food costings.
• The knowledge of ISO 9000 quality standard.