School Dining & Catering Manager

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

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Catering Manager to lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen for schools and staff. You will oversee dining centres, production kitchens, and service delivery, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with food safety standards.

You will manage a catering team, handle orders and stock, and promote meal uptake through engaging with parents and schools. Strong leadership and planning skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Hold NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent or higher relevant qualification OR have two years’ demonstrable experience in food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
• Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
• Demonstrable experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Access to a suitable vehicle for mobility requirements or evidence of alternative transport.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen management to deliver high-quality catering for children, young people and staff.
• Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and transporting meals where needed.
• Manage dining centre kitchens and the production kitchen, ensuring safety and compliance with HACCP.
• Monitor allergen and special dietary requirements and maintain up-to-date Allergen Matrix.
• Record food temperatures and maintain required records; manage deliveries, stock and wastage.
• Ensure safe operation of kitchen equipment and report defects.
• Promote the catering service to parents, principals, pupils and customers to increase uptake of meals.
• Develop effective communication with schools on service delivery and handle customer feedback and complaints.
• Contribute to risk assessments (Fire, etc.) and ensure staff training and development.
• Perform other duties to ensure smooth kitchen operations as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Planning & organising

Sales skills

Customer service

Team player

Education

NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2

Tools

MS Outlook

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Catering Manager to lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen for schools and staff. You will oversee dining centres, production kitchens, and service delivery, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with food safety standards.

You will manage a catering team, handle orders and stock, and promote meal uptake through engaging with parents and schools. Strong leadership and planning skills are essential.