Temporary Catering Manager

Catermatch Solutions Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A school catering service provider is seeking a dedicated Catering Manager in Greater London to oversee catering units at primary and secondary schools. The ideal candidate will have strong cookery skills, budget management experience, and a passion for promoting nutritious meals. This daytime role offers flexible working hours, a competitive salary of £13.47 per hour, plus benefits including 33 days annual leave and ongoing training opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Weekly pay

Pension contribution

Health and medical support

Annual leave and bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experienced in preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals.
• Strong understanding of food safety legislation.
• Capable of managing budgets and stock control.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with School Meals policies and standards.
• Prepare and present meals to required standards.
• Manage unit finances and stock control.
• Lead and develop staff effectively.
• Promote healthy eating initiatives.

Skills

Practical cookery skills

Knowledge of large-scale catering

Financial awareness

Team leadership

Planning and organization skills

Ability to promote healthy eating

Physical fitness for kitchen duties

Education

Level 2 NVQ or City & Guilds in Catering

Food Safety Level 2

Health & Safety training

Nutrition qualification Level 2

Job description

Catering Manager

School Meals

DBS Required

13.47 per hour plus holiday pay Term-Time Only Mixed shifts between 9am till 3pm

Flexible working days Immediate Start 33 days annual leave

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Catering Manager to lead and manage junior, primary and secondary school catering units. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong catering and leadership skills to ensure the delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals in a school environment, while supporting a small team of catering staff.

This role offers a daytime schedule with opportunities for development and the chance to make a positive impact on healthy eating in schools.

What We're Looking For

• An experienced catering professional with practical cookery skills, confident in preparing, cooking, and presenting a wide range of meals, including special dietary options.
• Knowledge of large-scale catering, food safety legislation, and school nutrition standards.
• Strong financial awareness and experience managing budgets, stock, and audit systems.
• A capable team leader with experience in staff supervision, development, and performance management.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and time-management skills to manage both your workload and that of your team.
• Ability to promote healthy eating initiatives and school meal uptake within the school.
• Physically fit and able to carry out kitchen duties, including lifting, standing for extended periods, and general catering tasks.
• Level 2 NVQ or City & Guilds in Catering (or equivalent), Food Safety Level 2 or above, Health & Safety training. Nutrition qualification Level 2 desirable (willingness to work towards acceptable).
• A clear Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one).

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all food preparation, storage, handling, and service comply with School Meals policies and government standards.
• Prepare, cook, and present a wide variety of meals to meet quality, cost, and safety standards.
• Manage unit finances, including stock control, ordering, labour, and other expenditure areas.
• Lead, supervise, and develop unit staff, conducting PDRs and on-the-job training.
• Promote the service at school events and support healthy eating initiatives.
• Maintain strong working relationships with management, staff, school clients, and customers.
• Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety and food hygiene regulations.

Whats on Offer

• 12.65 per hour (plus holiday pay).
• Daytime shifts only
• Ideal for work-life balance.
• Term-time working pattern.
• Ongoing work within a supportive school environment.
• Opportunity to gain further training and development.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

BENEFITS

• Hourly pay
• Flexible working hours
• Weekly pay
• Pension contribution
• Health & medical advice, services & support

QUALIFYING CANDIDATES

In accordance and compliance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 , all applicants applying for the above position will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility to live and work in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to accept applications from anyone not currently living in the U.K.