Senior Catering Operations Leader — Multi-Site Schools

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD is recruiting a Principal Catering Manager to lead a large School Meals Service in Rotherham. The role focuses on strategic and operational leadership across multiple sites, with responsibility for a ~300-strong workforce and budgets.

This full-time temporary position offers £24.46 per hour PAYE, with opportunities to drive service improvements, ensure food safety compliance, and build strong relationships with schools, academy trusts and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior-management experience in large school meals or catering services.
• Proven ability to lead multi-site operations and teams (~300 staff).
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergen management and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-site catering operations across the borough.
• Direct line management of Catering Managers.
• Ensure food safety, allergen handling, and safeguarding compliance.
• Oversee budgets, forecasting, income generation and cost controls.
• Monitor performance against KPIs and contractual standards.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, and development.
• Lead service improvements and change programmes.
• Handle complex operational issues and complaints.
• Build relationships with headteachers, academy trusts, partners and stakeholders.
• Support business growth and future service development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Budgeting

People management

Food safety compliance

Allergen management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD is recruiting a Principal Catering Manager to lead a large School Meals Service in Rotherham. The role focuses on strategic and operational leadership across multiple sites, with responsibility for a ~300-strong workforce and budgets.

This full-time temporary position offers £24.46 per hour PAYE, with opportunities to drive service improvements, ensure food safety compliance, and build strong relationships with schools, academy trusts and stakeholders.