Mobile Catering Lead (mobile in Leeds region)

Wellspring Academy Trust; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A Multi-Academy Trust in Leeds is seeking an enthusiastic Catering Lead to provide high-quality catering services across its schools. The candidate should have experience in catering, preferably in an educational setting, and possess a Food Safety Level 2 certificate. The role requires hands-on involvement in kitchen operations, maintaining high food standards, and fostering a positive team culture. Flexibility and a passion for education are essential.

Benefits

High-quality induction training

Ongoing professional development support

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar catering role required.
• Ability to cook menu items from scratch and manage food safety standards.
• Experience in education catering is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality catering services to learners, staff, and visitors.
• Ensure consistent food service across multiple school kitchens.
• Support the development of catering colleagues and promote a positive team culture.

Skills

Customer-focused

Organised

Self-motivated

Flexible

Team player

Education

Food Safety Level 2 certificate

Tools

Computer proficiency

Job description

About this Role

We have a new and exciting role available for a motivated and enthusiastic catering professional. The role will be a rewarding role supporting our schools across the Leeds area with high-quality catering, working weekdays, term time and without weekend working.

Location

This role will show a location of Barnsley, as that is where our central team are based, but this role will be mobile in the Leeds region.

Join our team as a mobile Catering Lead and make a difference to the young people in our care.

Wellspring is an established and growing Multi‑Academy Trust with a difference. We operate Primary, Secondary, Special and Alternative Academies across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Humber. We are committed to making a difference to the lives and life chances of the young people and the communities we serve.

As the Trust continues to grow, our roles offer pathways for ambitious and dynamic individuals who are determined to make a difference. We value our people; collegial working at all levels is central to our culture.

High quality induction training and ongoing professional development support are guaranteed. There will be a broad range of opportunities for you to realise your professional vision and ambitions within the Trust.

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and proactive Catering Lead to support our catering provision across our Leeds academies. This is a key role within the catering team, to ensure high‑quality, consistent food service across multiple sites.

As a Catering Lead, you will provide high quality, cost‑effective and safe catering services to learners, staff and visitors. You will work across different school kitchens as required, supporting existing catering teams, providing cover, and helping to embed best practice. Experience working within education catering would be advantageous.

You will be responsible for working with team members (both experienced and new to the role), ensuring high standards of food provision are maintained at all times. You will have the skills and confidence to cook menu items from scratch, and you will be hands‑on in all aspects of the catering operation: delivering excellent customer service, maintaining high cleaning and hygiene standards, and ensuring stock is managed, stored and rotated correctly. As a role model, you will support the development of catering colleagues and promote a positive team culture.

We are looking for someone who has experience in a similar catering role and who is flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of different school settings. A Food Safety Level 2 certificate is required, and you should be confident using a computer or willing to undertake training. Willingness to travel across Leeds is a must.

We are interested in hearing from people who:

• Are self‑motivated, customer‑focused and organised.
• Enjoy working as part of an inclusive, supportive team.
• Have a commitment to supporting education and are passionate about making a difference.

If you require any support with your application please contact HR on 01226 720747 or email [e-mail]

Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. As this role involves working with children in regulated activity, please note that it is an offence to apply for the role if barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

References will be requested and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance at interview. Further pre‑employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under‑represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have residended in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.