Cook Manager

Impact Food Group; Scarborough; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal

Uniform provided

Training access

Career progression

Staff discount

Monthly incentives

Job summary

Impact Food Group in Scarborough is seeking a Cook Manager to lead a kitchen team and deliver fresh, seasonal meals for students in a busy school setting. This hands-on management role covers planning, stock control, and ensuring high standards of food hygiene and safety.

You will supervise kitchen operations, develop your catering team, and liaise with onsite clients to guarantee smooth service during term-time hours (7am–2:30pm, 35 hours per week).

Qualifications

• Experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering.
• Ability to plan menus and manage stock.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Leading day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Motivating, developing and supervising the catering team.
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for students.
• Planning menus, managing stock and ensuring safety compliance.
• Liaising with onsite clients and stakeholders.
• Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently.

Skills

Kitchen management

Food prep

People management

Organizational skills

Communication

Hands-on approach

Education

Food hygiene certificate

Job description

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.

Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

The role…

Job Title: Cook Manager

School Location: Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, Scarborough, YO12 4HF

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-2.30pm (35 hours per week)

Working Weeks: 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

Pay Details: £24,080 per Annum

What will I be doing?

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 not in the business of making school food—we’re here to make great food, and that’s why our customers love us.

What are we looking for?

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

What’s in it for you?

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.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.