Mobile Catering Manager (3 Posts)

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

Job summary

An educational institution in Northern Ireland is seeking a Catering Manager to oversee food service operations and manage a catering team. This role involves innovating menu provisions, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, and maintaining financial performance within budget. The ideal candidate should have NVQ Level 2 in food preparation or equivalent experience, with a strong understanding of supplier management and team leadership. This position presents an opportunity to foster a collaborative environment while promoting healthy eating in schools.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years' experience in a catering establishment.
• Evidence of managing a catering team.
• Knowledge of HACCP and special diets.

Responsibilities

• Innovate menu provisions including special dietary meals.
• Manage food service and oversee dining centre kitchens.
• Conduct risk assessments and maintain food safety standards.

Skills

Food preparation

Menu innovation

Team management

Cash handling

Education

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation/cooking or equivalent

Experience in a catering establishment

Job description

JOB TITLE

Catering Manager

REPORTS TO

Regional Operations Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute cooking activities and innovate menu provisions, including special dietary meals and theme days.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, manage service points, and travel of meals.
• Overall management of dining centre kitchens and production kitchen.
• Follow food safety legislation, maintain allergen matrix, and record food temperatures.
• Manage deliveries, ordering, storage, and stock‑take to minimise wastage.
• Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment, report defects, and incident of fire or pest infestation.
• Secure premises, promote catering service, and increase uptake of meals and events.
• Communicate effectively with school and manage customer complaints.
• Conduct risk assessments, including Fire Risk Assessment.
• Provide friendly atmosphere, handle feedback and complaints, and perform other duties assigned.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Supervise, direct and manage teams, allocate duties and rotas.
• Implement policies relating to staff issues, manage attendance, and conduct return‑to‑work interviews.
• Induct new staff, maintain induction checklist, and monitor probation.
• Carry out staff training, maintain training record cards, and conduct performance appraisals.

FINANCIAL

• Monitor unit financial performance and maintain costs within budget.
• Complete clerical duties, ordering of goods, and accident reporting.
• Handle cash transactions following EA financial procedures.
• Manage food, labour, overheads, and equipment with correct procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• NVQ Level 2 in food preparation/cooking or equivalent, or two years’ experience in a catering establishment.
• Evidence of supervision or management of catering team.
• Experience in stock control, budget management, and financial controls.
• Knowledge of HACCP, provision of special diets, allergens, and ethnic diets.

EEO STATEMENT

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer. This post promotes good relations, equality of opportunity, and pay due regard for equality legislation and dignity at work at all times.