Cook Manager

Hertfordshire Catering Limited; Harlow; On-site; GBP 26,298,000 - 27,100,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Joining bonus £1000

Term-time schedule: 30 hours/week

Job summary

Hertfordshire Catering Limited is seeking a Cook Manager to lead the school kitchen team, shaping the culture and standard of quality and service your school relies on daily.

You will manage day-to-day operations, prepare nutritious meals, oversee stock and budgets, ensure food safety compliance, monitor quality and allergens, and build strong relationships with staff and pupils. Term-time hours (30/week) with £14.68/hour and a £1,000 joining bonus.

Qualifications

• Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate is required.
• NVQ Level 2/3 is desirable for the role.
• Experience leading a kitchen team and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Prepare and deliver fresh, nutritious meals.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and budget management.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, and portion control.
• Manage allergens awareness and cater for dietary requirements.
• Build relationships with staff, students, and the school community.
• Maintain HACCP records and temperature checks.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Food safety

Allergen awareness

Team motivation

Education

Food Hygiene Level 2 (required)

NVQ Level 2/3 (desirable)

Job description

Cook Manager, you won't just run a kitchen - you'll be hands on leading the team, shaping the culture and setting the standard for quality and service that your school will depend on every day. Let's talk about the role of a Cook Manager:

• Lead and manage the day-to-day kitchen operations
• Prepare, and deliver fresh, nutritious meals
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and budget management
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations
• Monitor food quality, presentation, and portion control
• Manage allergen awareness and cater for special dietary requirements
• Build positive relationships with staff, students, and the wider school community
• Maintain accurate records (e.g. HACCP, temperature checks, audits)
  Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate (required)
• NVQ Level 2/3 is highly desirable
• Passionate about delivering fresh, nutritious meals
• An experienced leader who can motivate and develop a high-performing team
• Well-organised, with strong planning and time management skills
• Confident managing budgets, stock, and kitchen operations
• Knowledgeable in food safety, allergens, and school food standards
• Committed to maintaining high standards of hygiene and compliance
• Proactive, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Dedicated to providing an excellent dining experience every day
  At HCL SAFEGUARDING IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. The safety of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do., At HCL, we're more than just a caterer. We proudly serve over 16 million meals a year, delivering outstanding dining experiences across schools and the commercial sector.
• Joining Bonus: £1000! (T&Cs apply)
• Salary: £14.68 per hour (£19,381 per annum) Hours: 30 hours per week - No Weekends, No Late Nights Schedule: Term Time Only - Enjoy all School Holidays off Uniform provided Rewards: Spread the Word & Earn Up to £500 - Refer a Friend! (T&Cs apply) Succeed with us: Career progression opportunities Excusive discounts: via VIVUP for supermarkets, cinemas, retail, dining, hotels, and family activities Wellbeing matters: Support through EAP & Financial Support via Stream Safeguarding: Enhanced DBS Disclosure paid by HCL - No Cost to You
• If you're passionate, driven and ready to grow, we'd love to hear from you.