Mobile Catering Manager

Education Authority Northern Ireland; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A public education organization is seeking a Catering Manager responsible for managing kitchen operations and ensuring quality catering services. The role requires specific cooking qualifications, knowledge of food safety standards, and experience in team supervision. Candidates should be prepared to maintain strict allergen records and demonstrate strong IT skills. The position offers a competitive hourly rate and is based in Ballymena.

Qualifications

• Hold relevant cooking qualification or have two years’ experience in catering.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Demonstrable experience in stock control and budget management.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day kitchen operations and food service.
• Organize food service and ensure food safety standards.
• Maintain allergen and dietary requirement records.

Skills

Food preparation and cooking

Supervision of catering team

Stock control

Budget management

Knowledge of HACCP

IT skills (MS Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams)

Training delivery

Education

NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking

City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent

Two years’ experience in food preparation and cooking

Job description

The Catering Manager is responsible for the efficient day-to-day management of the kitchen. Leadership and team participation are essential to provide a quality catering service to our children, young people, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Execute skilled cooking activities and innovation connected to the full range of menu provisions, for example, preparation of menus, portion control, plating presentation, special dietary meals
• including the texture modification of food for special diets (IDDSI), theme days/events and function catering where appropriate.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and the transportation of meals, if required.
• The role includes the overall management of dining centre kitchens as well as the production kitchen
• Follow EA policies and procedures for safe cooking and food service to meet current standards of food safety legislation.
• Ensure you are aware of all allergen and special dietary requirements and that the Allergen Matrix is always up to date.
• Make sure that food temperatures are recorded and complete records as required. Manage deliveries, ordering, storage, and stock-take to ensure food safety and minimum wastage.
• Ensure the safe operation of kitchen equipment and report any equipment defects.
• Report any incident of fire, loss, damage, unfit food, or signs of pest infestation, e.g., mice, etc.

Skills and Qualifications

• Hold NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent or higher relevant qualification
• Or: have two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Demonstrable experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
• Knowledge of the provision of special diets, e.g. allergens and ethnic diets.
• A willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner;
• Or: provide sufficient information to satisfy the employer that you have access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner.
• Demonstrable experience in IT skills, including MS Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering training.

Further Information

Base of Location: St Killian's College, Ballymena - 25 Tower Rd, Ballymena BT44 0JSA Full list of responsibilities, essential and desirable skills can be found on the Education Authority website. The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.

Salary £16.5261 to £17.3651 per hour

Contract Type Permanent

Weekly hours 35

Published date 18/11/2025 Closing date 02/12/2025

Worktime Monday - Friday 8.00am - 3.30pm with 30mins unpaid for lunch