School Catering Manager & Kitchen Leader

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Omagh; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) in Omagh is seeking a Catering Manager to lead the kitchen day-to-day, guiding a team to deliver a high‑quality catering service for pupils, staff, and local communities.

You will develop menus, supervise service points and production kitchens, ensure HACCP compliance, allergen control and accurate records, manage stock and orders, and promote meals through schools and parents while maintaining safety and cost controls.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds equivalent.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Experience in stock control, budgeting and financial controls.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Knowledge of the provision of special diets (allergens/ethnic diets).
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Have access to suitable vehicle or transport for mobility.

Responsibilities

• Execute skilled cooking activities and menu planning, including special diets.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service and meal transport if required.
• Manage dining centre kitchens and production kitchen.
• Follow EA policies for HACCP and food safety standards.
• Maintain allergen matrix and ensure dietary requirements are up to date.
• Record food temperatures and maintain required records.
• Monitor deliveries, stock, and wastage to minimise costs.
• Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment and report defects.
• Promote the catering service to parents, principals, pupils and customers.
• Establish effective communication with schools on service delivery.

Skills

Leadership & people management

Stock control & budgeting

Food safety HACCP knowledge

Dietary awareness

Mobility/access to transport

Training delivery (desirable)

Education

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation & cooking

City & Guilds 706-1/706-2 or equivalent

Two years' catering experience

Tools

MS Outlook

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) in Omagh is seeking a Catering Manager to lead the kitchen day-to-day, guiding a team to deliver a high‑quality catering service for pupils, staff, and local communities.

You will develop menus, supervise service points and production kitchens, ensure HACCP compliance, allergen control and accurate records, manage stock and orders, and promote meals through schools and parents while maintaining safety and cost controls.