Cook Manager

Impact Food Group; Kneesall CP; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daytime hours

No evenings or weekends

Free meal on shift

Uniform provided

Training and development

Job summary

Impact Food Group is seeking a Cook Manager to lead a kitchen team delivering fresh, seasonal meals to students. You’ll manage daily kitchen operations, develop your team, and ensure high standards of food hygiene and service.

This hands-on role focuses on planning menus, stock control, and liaising with onsite clients to ensure smooth, high-quality service in a school setting. Daytime hours and a strong team culture are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
• Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal food
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Good organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations

Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen
• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for the school
• Planning menus, managing stock, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
• Liaising directly with onsite clients and stakeholders
• Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Organisational skills

Job description

As a Cook Manager, you'll lead a friendly kitchen team to deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students each day. This is a hands-on management role, where you'll oversee the kitchen, support your team, and ensure smooth service. Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen
• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for the school
• Planning menus, managing stock, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
• Liaising directly with onsite clients and stakeholders
• Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently

We're looking for an experienced Cook/Chef Manager with strong leadership skills and a passion for food.

• Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
• Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal food
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Good organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations

If you're enthusiastic about cooking and leading a team to deliver quality food, we want to hear from you.

Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England's fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

This role offers an excellent work-life balance:

• Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
• All school holidays off
• Free meal on shift and provided uniform

Plus:

• Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
• Access to free qualifications
• Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers

You'll also have the chance to help children explore healthy eating and build positive food habits that last a lifetime.