Senior Education Catering Leader for SEN & Schools

OCS; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-winning employer

Digital learning resources

Wagestream (flexible pay)

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Senior Catering Manager to lead our catering operation across nurseries, schools, colleges and SEN provisions, delivering high-quality food and service in a complex educational environment.

You will work with the Chef Manager, develop menus, manage budgets, lead diverse teams and ensure compliance with food safety and safeguarding policies while building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing catering operations and teams.
• Experience within contract catering, education catering or a similarly complex catering environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, mentor and develop teams.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including budgeting and cost control.
• Ability to build positive relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Effective problem‑solving skills and the ability to think on your feet.
• Right to Work in the UK.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS or Enhanced Security Check.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop your team to deliver consistently high-quality, craft-driven food and service.
• Oversee all catering staff, including chefs, kitchen assistants and front‑of‑house teams, ensuring service standards are consistently achieved.
• Manage catering budgets, including food costs, labour costs and operational expenditure.
• Monitor financial performance, identify opportunities for efficiencies and deliver commercial targets.
• Build strong relationships with clients, education leaders, staff, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Ensure all dietary, allergen and nutritional requirements are met across the service.

Skills

Catering leadership

Contract education catering

Budgeting & cost control

Stakeholder relationship management

Regulatory compliance & food safety

Problem solving & decision making

Team development & coaching

Right to Work in the UK

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Catering, Hospitality or related

HNC/HND in Hospitality Management

Food Hygiene Certificate Level 3

Job description

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Senior Catering Manager to lead our catering operation across nurseries, schools, colleges and SEN provisions, delivering high-quality food and service in a complex educational environment.

You will work with the Chef Manager, develop menus, manage budgets, lead diverse teams and ensure compliance with food safety and safeguarding policies while building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.