School Catering Lead: Manage Meals & Team

Gateshead Regeneration Partnership; Whickham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Pension scheme

Training & progression

Wellbeing support

Cycle to work

Car salary sacrifice

Discounts & salary sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a catering supervisor for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, to lead a small team delivering two-course mid-day meals to around 200–220 pupils. You will manage food prep, service, stock, and compliance with HACCP, while keeping costs within budget and ensuring high standards of safety and customer care.

You’ll drive service improvement, develop menus, and contribute to positive relationships with pupils, parents and staff, with opportunities for training and

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of food safety and health & safety legislation with Level 2 qualifications.
• Experience delivering high-quality catering services in a similar environment, ideally within schools or large-scale catering.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and manage a team effectively.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Ability to manage budgets, control costs, and maintain service standards.
• Flexible, proactive approach with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong teamwork skills with the ability to build positive relationships across a diverse school community.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and support a small catering team to deliver a high-quality two-course mid-day meal service.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, service, ordering, stock control, and storage within budget.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and HACCP systems and standards.
• Manage kitchen and dining cleanliness to the highest standards.
• Plan staff rotas, allocate duties, and support training, development, and safe working practices.
• Monitor and manage food and labour costs effectively within set budgets.
• Work collaboratively to develop and improve the service, increasing meal uptake.
• Deliver excellent customer care and build strong relationships with pupils, parents, and school stakeholders.
• Participate in promotional activities such as parents' evenings, events, and themed days.
• Ensure dietary, allergen, and medical requirements are handled safely and in line with policy.
• Respond to feedback, complaints, and service requests promptly and professionally.
• Contribute to menu development and continuous service improvement.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Team leadership

Communication skills

Budget control

Flexible approach

Teamwork

H&S knowledge

Education

Level 2 Food Safety

Health & Safety awareness

Allergen awareness

Professional cookery

Job description

Gateshead Council is seeking a catering supervisor for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, to lead a small team delivering two-course mid-day meals to around 200–220 pupils. You will manage food prep, service, stock, and compliance with HACCP, while keeping costs within budget and ensuring high standards of safety and customer care.

You’ll drive service improvement, develop menus, and contribute to positive relationships with pupils, parents and staff, with opportunities for training and