School Unit Manager

Compass Group PLC; Leigh; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I and Chartwells are seeking an experienced Catering Manager to oversee all catering and service operations for a school portfolio on a full-time basis.

You will supervise kitchens and service counters, drive exceptional food experiences, manage inventories and budgets, and lead teams to deliver outstanding customer service across 46 weeks per year.

This role offers progression within a supportive employer that values individuality and high standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of catering experience.
• NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 required.
• Basic Food Hygiene certificate required.
• Demonstrate strong financial acumen.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards.
• Supervising culinary and catering teams to ensure impeccable food and customer service.
• Overseeing in‑unit catering operations, including inventories, budgets, and action plans.
• Communicating KPI progress and targets to line manager.
• Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image.
• Identifying opportunities for new food or service concepts to drive sales.
• Liaising between customers and teams to exceed expectations.
• Training and supporting teams, leading from the front.
• Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards across teams.

Skills

Catering experience

Team leadership

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

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

Job description

We're recruiting an experienced Catering Manager who is passionate about exceptional food and world‑class customer service, and who can confidently oversee all Compass Group UK&I catering and service operations for Chartwells on a full time basis, contracted to 40 hours per week.

As a Catering Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring our kitchens and service counters run smoothly and helping to deliver truly incredible food experiences. In return, you'll have the opportunity to progress your catering career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Here’s an idea of what your shift patterns will be: Mon‑Fri (Full Time Days)

Please note: This role is contracted to 46 weeks per year.

Could you shine as Chartwells’s next Catering Manager? Here’s what you need to know before applying:

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards
• Supervising our culinary and catering teams to ensure we continue to deliver impeccable food and customer service
• Overseeing the efficiency of all in‑unit catering operations, including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans
• Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and targets
• Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image
• Identifying opportunities for new food or service concepts to drive sales
• Liaising between customers and our culinary and service teams to ensure we continue to exceed expectations
• Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role
• Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards to ensure compliance across all catering and service teams.

Our ideal Catering Manager will:

• Be passionate about great‑tasting food and exceptional customer service
• Have a minimum of two years of catering experience
• Have experience managing teams in a similar role
• Hold an NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2
• Hold a Basic Food Hygiene certificate
• Demonstrate brilliant financial acumen
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills
• Be an ambitious and motivated individual who is always looking to upskill

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children’s Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Job Reference: com/#####/78016001/52840935/BU #State Schools

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!JBRP1_UKTJ