Term-Time Chef Manager: Lead School Cafeteria

Lodestone House; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Digital GP and wider healthcare

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on purchases

Free wellness and fitness classes

Share discounts with family andFriends

Job summary

Lodestone House, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, seeks an experienced Chef Manager to lead the school catering operation at Merchant Taylors’ School in Liverpool. 40 hours per week, term-time only, serving around 200 pupils aged 5–11.

You will manage a team of four, oversee daily kitchen operations, and handle all aspects of menu planning, fresh meal preparation, and paperwork, ensuring high standards of food and safety.

Qualifications

• An experienced Chef Manager with school catering background.
• Two years' catering management experience.
• Strong chef skills with passion for fresh, high-quality food.
• Knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP, allergen, Health & Safety requirements.
• Commercial awareness with food cost, stock and labour control.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day catering operations and ensure high standards of food and service.
• Lead, motivate, train and develop a small team of four.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking and service for the primary school.
• Plan and deliver fresh, nutritious meals to agreed standards.
• Manage food ordering, purchasing, stock control and waste.
• Monitor labour and food costs to meet financial targets.
• Complete catering administration, paperwork and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, HACCP, allergen and safety policies.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen.
• Build relationships with the school, pupils, staff and visitors.
• Drive continuous improvement across the catering service.
• Support senior site with hospitality functions when required.

Skills

School catering experience

Team management

Food Safety knowledge

Allergen awareness

Budget & cost control

Microsoft Office

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene or equivalent

Job description

Lodestone House, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, seeks an experienced Chef Manager to lead the school catering operation at Merchant Taylors’ School in Liverpool. 40 hours per week, term-time only, serving around 200 pupils aged 5–11.

You will manage a team of four, oversee daily kitchen operations, and handle all aspects of menu planning, fresh meal preparation, and paperwork, ensuring high standards of food and safety.