Mobile Catering Manager

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

Job summary

A regional educational authority in Northern Ireland seeks a Catering Manager to oversee daily kitchen operations and ensure high-quality service. Responsibilities include managing food preparation, supervising staff, and monitoring budgets. The ideal candidate should have NVQ level 2 in food preparation and experience in team supervision and financial controls. This permanent position offers a salary of £16.53 to £17.37 per hour, with a commitment to delivering safe and nutritious meals for students and staff.

Qualifications

• 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 and financial controls.
• Knowledge of allergens and ethnic diets.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the kitchen.
• Oversee food service and transport of meals.
• Ensure high-quality service is delivered.
• Supervise employees and manage work schedules.
• Monitor financial performance and budgets.

Skills

Food preparation

Supervision

Budget management

HACCP knowledge

IT skills (MS Office)

Education

NVQ level 2 in food preparation

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.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and the transportation of meals, if required.
• Efficient management of the teams, ensuring we deliver a high-quality service.
• Supervise and direct employees, including allocating duties and work rotas. Where employed at a transporting kitchen, duties also incorporate the Catering Assistants' work routine and the dining centres' operational issues, including regular visits.
• Monitor the unit's financial performance, maintain costs within pre-budgeted targets, and assist in implementing financial procedures and activities within the catering service.

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

Full details can be found on the Education Authority website.

Location: Dundonald, All of Northern Ireland
Salary: £16.5261 to £17.3651 per hour
Contract Type: Permanent
Weekly hours: 30
Published date: 07/01/2026
Closing date: 21/01/2026