Cook Manager

Impact Food Group; Thames Ditton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal on shift

Uniform provided

Training & development

Staff discount scheme

Monthly team incentives

Job summary

Impact Food Group is hiring a Cook Manager for a Thames Ditton school site. You will lead a kitchen team to deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students each day, with hands-on management of service, stock, and hygiene. The role runs Monday to Friday during term time, with 39 weeks per year, and pays £26,000 per annum.

You will oversee menu planning, staff development, and liaise with onsite clients, ensuring a smooth, compliant operation while maintaining high standards of food quality and safety.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments.
• Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal meals for large groups.
• Strong people management and team leadership skills.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards of hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the catering team.
• Prepare and serve fresh, seasonal meals daily.
• Plan menus, manage stock, ensure food hygiene compliance.
• Liaise with onsite clients and stakeholders.
• Ensure service runs smoothly and efficiently.

Skills

Kitchen management

Leadership

Team motivation

Food hygiene & safety

Communication

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.

Job Title

Cook Manager

School Location

St Pauls Catholic Primary, Thames Ditton, KT7

Working Days

Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours

7.30am-3pm (35 hours per week)

Working Weeks

39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

Pay Details

£26,000 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.

• 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.

Please note: An interview, trade test & kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process.

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.