Term-Time School Kitchen Manager | Lead Balanced Menus

Caterlink

Harrow

On-site

GBP 23,000 - 31,000

Part time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Blended learning programme

Employee Discount Platform

Wellbeing Services (EAP & Virtual GP)

Pensions scheme

Job summary

Caterlink at Harrow College is seeking a Chef Manager to lead daily catering operations on site. You will prepare, cook and present nutritionally balanced meals in a term-time role with 37.5 hours weekly, Monday to Friday, 38 weeks per year, at £16.00 per hour.

You’ll ensure Health & Safety compliance, manage a kitchen team, monitor budgets and inventories, and act as the primary client contact in school settings. Strong leadership, nutrition knowledge and HACCP compliance are essential.

Qualifications

Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
Level 3 Health & Safety qualification.
Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and due diligence.
Good understanding of allergen management and the 14 allergens.
Knowledge of current health, safety and hygiene legislation.
Understanding of nutrition and the ability to provide balanced, high-quality menus.
Strong culinary skills and experience in a professional catering environment.
Management & leadership: Proven experience leading and motivating a catering/kitchen team.
Ability to organise staff rotas, delegate responsibilities and manage performance.
Confident communicator with the ability to build positive relationships with staff, clients, students/customers and suppliers.
Strong team-player with a hands-on approach.
Financial & commercial understanding: budgets, food costs, labour costs and gross profit.
Ability to monitor and control food purchasing and stock levels.
Experience with stock control, ordering and reducing food waste.
Understanding of portion control and cost-effective menu planning.
Analyze basic financial information and take action where costs are outside budget.
Operational skills: planning menus, production and service; cleanliness and kitchen organisation; temperature monitoring; audits.
Experience with catering systems, tills/EPOS and basic computer systems.
Professional, reliable and accountable.
Positive and proactive attitude.
Good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Flexible and adaptable to changing operational requirements.
Passionate about food quality, customer service and team development.
Leads by example and takes ownership of the catering operation.

Responsibilities

To prepare, cook and present food to the standards required by Caterlink and the client.
To ensure that the location meets statutory and company requirements of Health and Safety, Food Safety and environmental legislations and procedures.
To ensure that the company’s reputation for excellent food and service is enhanced with the client and customers and expectations are consistently exceeded.
To be responsible for the day-to-day running of the location and supervising teams including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans.
To be the main point of contact for our client in your school ensuring that regular adjustments and improvements are both recommended and implemented.
Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and financial targets to ensure these are achieved.
Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role by ensuring all training is completed and performance is managed.