Cook 5 - Secondary School Head of Kitchen

Thurrock Council; Grays; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate Catering Manager to join a vibrant school meal service. This role involves overseeing food preparation and delivery, ensuring high standards of service, and managing a dedicated team. The successful candidate will play a key role in promoting the service and enhancing customer satisfaction. With a focus on flexible working and community engagement, this position offers a chance to make a real difference in the lives of students and staff. Join a forward-thinking council committed to excellence in catering and community service.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Hybrid working

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in catering management and food service.
• Strong customer care and team management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage food production and service delivery in school kitchens.
• Promote the catering service and support team development.

Skills

Catering Management

Food Hygiene

Customer Care

Team Management

Education

Catering Qualification

Food Safety Certification

Job description

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Job Description

Salary: £32,490 - £36,870 per annum pro rata to hours worked as part-time

Grade: D

Permanent Contract

35 Hours per Week (term time)

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Catering Manager for our secondary school service with a positive 'can-do' attitude!

This unique role is an exciting opportunity to work within the School Meal Service.

Thurrock Catering Services provides Bronze Food for Life, award winning lunchtime meals at 24 Primary Schools, 3 Secondary Schools and 2 Alternative Provision Academies within the Borough, serving more than one million meals each year to children and school staff.

Due to continued expansion and growth of our service which now includes catering for Grangewaters Residential Groups and Holiday Activity Feeding Events, an opportunity now exists to work in a friendly and flexible environment within school kitchens in Thurrock.

You will be required to prepare, produce, and deliver an excellent standard food service to the staff and pupils at schools in Thurrock, 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.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Promotion of the Catering Service and supporting the Development Chef and Area Supervisors to keep abreast of new products & legislation.

Support the Catering Services to organise and deliver a high standard of service and customer care.

Support the Catering Services by undertaking and overseeing the management of food production, service delivery and promotions to increase sales as required.

Responsible for managing a team and undertaking regular 1-2-1's, annual appraisals and any training required.

Support the Catering Service to 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.

Previous experience in a similar role would be an advantage.

The successful candidate must be available and able to start on 1st September 2025.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at Enhanced Level with Children's Barred List is required for this post.

Advert Closing Date

• Redeployment Only: 1st May 2025
• Internal & External: 11th May 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

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About Us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council