School Catering Manager: Menu Innovation & Service Lead

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Bessbrook; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) seeks a Catering Manager to lead day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring quality catering for children, young people and staff. You will provide strong leadership, manage a catering team, and drive safe, compliant service delivery across dining centres.

You will oversee menus, dietary requirements, stock control, and service quality, while promoting meals and collaborating with schools to ensure excellent customer service and adherence to policy and budget

Qualifications

• Hold NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent or higher relevant qualification.
• Evidence of two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Knowledge of provision of special diets (allergens and ethnic diets).
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Access to a suitable vehicle or transport enabling mobility for the post.

Responsibilities

• Execute cooking activities and menu provision including dietary modifications and special events.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service and meal transport if required.
• Manage dining centre and production kitchens and ensure safe operation of equipment.
• Follow HACCP and safety standards; manage allergen records and temperature logs.
• Oversee deliveries, ordering, stock-take and food safety controls; manage wastage.
• Promote the catering service to school communities to increase meal uptake.
• Communicate with schools and parents about service delivery and outcomes.
• Carry out risk assessments including Fire Risk Assessment and staff training.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Planning

Communication

Customer service

Team supervision

Education

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking

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

Tools

MS Outlook

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) seeks a Catering Manager to lead day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring quality catering for children, young people and staff. You will provide strong leadership, manage a catering team, and drive safe, compliant service delivery across dining centres.

You will oversee menus, dietary requirements, stock control, and service quality, while promoting meals and collaborating with schools to ensure excellent customer service and adherence to policy and budget