School Head Chef — Lead Kitchen Team & Healthy Menus

Grundisburgh Primary School; Woodbridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension contributions

Well-being programme

Full uniform provided

Sickness and Absence Scheme

Job summary

Grundisburgh Primary School is seeking a Head Chef to lead our school kitchen, providing healthy, nutritious meals to pupils and ensuring consistently high standards of service. You will line-manage the catering team, take the lead on purchasing, develop a two-week menu cycle, manage stock and costs, and ensure all dietary needs are catered for, in line with Food Standards Agency guidance.

This permanent, term-time post starts 4 January 2027; the role offers local pension contributions,

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3/City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 or equivalent.
• Experience of leading a kitchen team.
• Demonstrable passion for food and customer service.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Desirable: intermediate food hygiene certificate.
• Desirable: experience of catering in a school.

Responsibilities

• Line manage the kitchen assistant and lead the catering team each day to ensure lunch service runs smoothly and on time.
• Take the lead on all purchasing for the school kitchen and attend meetings with suppliers when required with a member of the school team.
• Be responsible for producing a 2 week termly menu cycle for the school alongside the headteacher, ensuring an attractive range of choices and that all allergies and dietary requirements are catered for.
• Lead with the preparation of lunch in accordance with the daily and weekly menus, delegating tasks as appropriate.
• Effectively manage the allocated catering expenditure to achieve best value and sustainability whilst meeting the high expectations of your customers.
• Manage and control stock levels to minimise waste and ensure cost efficiency.
• Ensure orders for all suppliers are placed before the cut off times and make sure ingredients are on site when needed.
• Ensure regular stocktake is undertaken.
• Support other members of the Catering team with their duties as needed, or arrange for appropriate delegation.

Skills

lead kitchen team

calm under pressure

customer service

Education

NVQ Level 3 / City & Guilds 706/1 and 2

Job description

Grundisburgh Primary School is seeking a Head Chef to lead our school kitchen, providing healthy, nutritious meals to pupils and ensuring consistently high standards of service. You will line-manage the catering team, take the lead on purchasing, develop a two-week menu cycle, manage stock and costs, and ensure all dietary needs are catered for, in line with Food Standards Agency guidance.

This permanent, term-time post starts 4 January 2027; the role offers local pension contributions,