Food Development Officer: Innovative School Menus & Quality

Opus People Solutions Limited; Rainworth CP; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertas is seeking a Food Development Officer to join our Catering team at Rainworth. The role focuses on developing menus, ensuring nutritional balance, and compliance with School Food Standards while maintaining cost efficiency.

You will support allergen management, digital platforms, and supplier sourcing to deliver high-quality offerings. Based at Rainworth, NG21 0HJ, the post is a 37-hour week role that promotes innovation, tastings, and engagement activities to enhance the food offer and

Qualifications

• Previous experience in catering or food services, schools experience desirable.
• Strong knowledge of food standards, allergen legislation and school food requirements.
• Experience of menu and recipe development with cost control awareness.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage a range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the development, implementation and continuous improvement of menus across catering operations.
• Assisting with recipe and food development, ensuring meals are nutritionally balanced and cost effective.
• Supporting allergen management and medical diet provision, ensuring compliance with legislation and accurate record keeping.
• Maintaining digital food systems including recipes, allergen and nutritional platforms.
• Liaising with procurement teams and suppliers to source quality, sustainable products.
• Researching, trialling and evaluating new dishes and products.
• Carrying out quality audits of food standards, service and presentation across sites.
• Supporting catering teams with training, guidance and best practice.
• Supporting pupil engagement activities such as tastings and menu initiatives.
• Support the planning and delivery of innovative food initiatives and events, including pop ups, themed catering, community engagement activities and promotional campaigns to enhance the food offer and drive uptake.

Skills

Excel

IT skills

Communication

Organisation

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Digital food systems

Job description

Vertas is seeking a Food Development Officer to join our Catering team at Rainworth. The role focuses on developing menus, ensuring nutritional balance, and compliance with School Food Standards while maintaining cost efficiency.

You will support allergen management, digital platforms, and supplier sourcing to deliver high-quality offerings. Based at Rainworth, NG21 0HJ, the post is a 37-hour week role that promotes innovation, tastings, and engagement activities to enhance the food offer and