Cook 4 - Head of Kitchen

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Thurrock is seeking a Cook 4 - Head of Kitchen to oversee food service quality within schools. This role requires managing staff, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, and enhancing catering services. The ideal candidate should have prior catering management experience and relevant qualifications, providing nourishing meals for students. Benefits include generous leave, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

Ongoing training and professional development

Employee assistance programme

Staff discounts and local offers

Qualifications

• Must possess previous catering management experience.
• Exceptional customer care skills required.
• Must be an excellent team leader.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high standard catering service.
• Cover and support the Catering Service across Thurrock.
• Organise and manage catering to meet targets.

Skills

Catering Management experience

Customer care skills

Team Leadership

Education

Food Hygiene Level 3

Allergen Awareness

NVQ Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking Level 2 - 3

Job description

Job Title: Cook 4 - Head of Kitchen
Salary: £29,253 - £32,736 per annum pro rata to hours worked as part-time
Grade: C
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 25 hours per week (term-time only)

The Department

Thurrock Catering Services provides Bronze Food for Life, award winning lunchtime meals in Primary & Secondary Schools within the Borough, serving more than one million meals each year to children and school staff. Due to the Universal Free School Meal's for KS1 pupils and continued expansion and growth of our service which now includes catering for Grangewaters Outdoor Activity Centre's Residential Groups and Holiday Activity Feeding Events, an opportunity now exists to work in a friendly and flexible environment within school kitchens in Thurrock.

About the role

You will be required to prepare, produce, and deliver an excellent standard food service to the staff and pupils, you must be able to organise, arrange and supervise all activities in the school kitchen, counter display and dining room area and must be prepared to cover where-ever required across Thurrock in other schools if needed. You will need to promote the service and keep abreast of new products, promotions, and any changes in legislation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high standard catering service
• Cover and support the Catering Service wherever required across Thurrock
• Promotion of the Catering Service keeping abreast of new products & legislation
• Organise and manage the catering provision to ensure an efficient and cost-effective service to meet set targets on food and labour costs
• Ordering provisions, food preparation and cooking in accordance with the recipe file and menu.
• All paperwork & reporting required to ensure stock take and payroll deadlines are met
• The management of staff to include attendance and annual appraisals.
• Increase uptake and business growth

Full workplace training will be given, which includes food hygiene and safety training. A flexible approach with a 'can-do' attitude is required together with a pleasant personality and excellent customer care ethics.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by ensuring our students eat nutritious and healthy food to support their growth and well being and by providing a crucial food source to vulnerable pupils.

What We're Looking For

• Previous Catering Management experience
• Exceptional customer care skills
• Excellent Team Leader

Essential qualifications

• Food Hygiene Level 3
• Allergen Awareness
• NVQ Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking Level 2 - 3 (City & Guilds 706/1 & 2)
• DBS Check: Enhanced with Children's Barred List is required for this post.

Benefits of Working with Us

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

• Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 18th December 2025
• Closing Date (Internal & External): 4th January 2026
• Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

• Contact: Jayne Darlow - Catering Services Manager | 07920 232616
• To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
• Application Requirements: As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
• If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
• Gaps in Employment Form
• Gaps in Employment Example