Mobile Catering Manager

Education Authority Northern Ireland; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional education authority in Northern Ireland seeks a Catering Manager to oversee kitchen operations at St Eithne's Primary School, ensuring high-quality catering services and food safety compliance. Ideal candidates will possess NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent qualifications. Leadership experience in catering and budget management skills are essential. The position offers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to contribute to the nutritional needs of children and staff.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Knowledge of special diets including allergens.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the kitchen.
• Supervise food service and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Organise food deliveries, ordering, and stock management.

Skills

Food preparation

Team leadership

Menu planning

Allergen management

Budget management

IT skills

HACCP knowledge

Education

NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking

City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2

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 Eithne's Primary School, Derry/LondonderryA full list of responsibilities, essential and desirable skills can be found on the Education Authority website.The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.

Area: Derry or Londonderry
Closing date: 30 Nov 2025

Area: Derry or Londonderry
Closing date: 01 Dec 2025