Mobile Cook Manager

Sodexo; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursements

Travel expenses covered

Job summary

Sodexo is hiring a Mobile Cook Manager to oversee school kitchen operations across Kent, including South East London, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge, and Ashford. The role involves managing food and finances, ensuring top service standards, and leading a team in a busy school environment.

The position is term-time only (39 weeks) with 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday 7:30am–2:30pm, and requires a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. Travel to different sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence required and own vehicle may be required for travel between sites.
• Experience cooking at a large scale (100–1300 students).
• Experience following recipes and training on food hygiene.
• Previous staff supervision or line management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage replenishment of food and dismantling of work areas after service.
• Develop, mentor, and train the kitchen team.
• Control catering operation including labour, food, and stock costs.
• Manage and optimise costs under your control.
• Ensure consistency of food and service standards for staff, visitors, and students.
• Create and develop menus and conduct routine audits.

Skills

Driving licence

Large-scale cooking

Staff supervision

Food safety

Education

NVQ level 2

Level 2 Food safety

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Kent

£16.00 Per Hour(mileage expenses: first 10.000 miles per miles 0.45pence miles, after it will be 0.25 pence per mile)

Working Hours:

35 hours per week

Location:

Kent

Closing Date:

03/11/2026

Job Category:

Catering Management

Package Description

“A role where you can bring your passion for food”

• £16.00 Per Hour(mileage expenses: first 10.000 miles per miles 0.45pence miles, after it will be 0.25 pence per mile)
• 35hours per week
• Working pattern: Monday - Friday, 7.30am - 2.30pm
• Term Time only(39week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks)**
• This position requires and Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

ALL TRAVEL EXPENSES ARE REIMBURSEDRetention BONUSfor all attached mobile roles–£200on successful completion of 12 week probation, further£300after 52 weeks comple

**Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.**

Job Introduction

As MobileCook Manager for Sodexo Covering Kent Area, including South East London, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Ashford, you will oversee all aspects of the food and beverage operations as well as the finances for your school’s kitchen. You will be responsible for ensuring that the food and level of service are of the highest calibre and that the school catering is among the best in the region. Your attitude will influence your team's daily lives as the person they go to for direction and support, which will in turn foster a vibrant and productive work environment. As well as this, you will not work unsociable hours and you will get public holidays off… including Christmas!

Join Sodexo andbe part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What you do:

• Manage the replenishment of food and the dismantling of work areas at the end of service.
• Develop, mentor, conduct training, and inspire the kitchen team.
• Control the complete catering operation, including labour, food, and stock expenses.
• Manage and optimise all costs that are under your control.
• Ensure uniformity in the food and service standards provided to fellow staff members, visitors and students.
• Manage the creation and development of menus.
• Conduct routine audits to ensure standards are being followed.

What you bring:

• Full UK Driving Licence required for this position and own vehicle required for this role as travel to a different site each daymay be required.
• Must have expertise on cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 – 1300 students.
• Have experience following recipes, possibly in a similar setting.
• Have previous staff supervision experience or line management experience.
• Have experience working with fresh produce and ingredients.
• Be aware of the importance of adhering to health and safety procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines in a busy Kitchen environment.
• Be professional, leading by example and having a positive outlook is key.
• Hold basic food handling skills certification:
  • NVQ Level 2
  • Level 2 Food safety Certificate
  • A minimum of 1 years of experience in hands on cooking,training on Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety will be given.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance tobe part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you foryou;you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

**Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)**

*Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications

About The Company

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committedto beingan inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.