Training Kitchen Manager

Surrey County Council; Godalming, Epsom; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Surrey County Council seeks a passionate Training Kitchen Manager to lead school kitchen teams, ensuring excellence in food preparation and service. This role focuses on inspiring and educating staff to promote healthy eating among children. You'll enjoy benefits such as flexible working hours, comprehensive training, and an extensive Employee Assistance Programme.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Paternity and adoption leave

Lifestyle discounts

Paid volunteering days

Learning and development resources

Mileage allowance

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams or training staff in a kitchen setting.
• Proactive, motivating approach with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Champion excellence in food preparation and service.
• Deliver engaging training to develop kitchen teams.
• Mentor staff in compliance and culinary innovation.
• Drive high standards in nutrition and hygiene.

Skills

Food preparation

Leadership

Nutrition compliance

Hygiene standards

Communication

Education

Catering or professional chef background

Job description

• Salary: £18,048 to £22,970 per annum (based on hours)
• Category: Catering - Qualified
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 35 and 27.5 hours per week 40 weeks per year
• Posted on: 25 June 2025
• Closing date: 20 July 2025
• Directorate: Resources

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council.We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

We are looking for 2 Training Kitchen Managers:

• £22,970 per annum for 35 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, based at St Josephs School, Epsom
• £18,048 per annum for 27.50 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, based at Busbridge School.

Although these two roles are term-time only, you'll still receive a consistent monthly salary – even during school holidays

Are you ready to be part of something meaningful and mission-driven? This is more than just a job – it's a chance to inspire, educate, and fuel the future! Transform school catering; become ourTraining Kitchen Manager!

Rewards and Benefits

• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

And with Twelve15, you'll receive:

• Full training and a warm induction
• Opportunities to lead mini-projects and theme days
• A mileage allowance for your travel
• Term-time friendly hours and a supportive working culture

About the Team

We want to live in a world where the planet is cared for, and where every person can thrive with a healthy body and mind. That mission starts with food – and you can be a key part of it.

Our team is our greatest ingredient. At Twelve15, we don't just feed children – we shape their habits, encourage healthy choices, and serve up education on every plate. Your work will directly impact the lives of children and young people every day. Our team players are passionate, creative, and collaborative. We take pride in delivering exciting, nutritious food that encourages children to explore new tastes and healthy habits.

Do you have a passion for food, a head for leadership, and a heart for training others? We're on the lookout for a Training Kitchen Manager to energise and upskill school kitchen teams.

Your Mission

This is a highly varied role with real influence and daily impact. As our Training Kitchen Manager you will be involved in the following:

• Championing excellence in food preparation and service across your area
• Delivering engaging, first-hand training to develop kitchen teams
• Driving high standards in nutrition, hygiene, and compliance
• Mentoring staff and building confidence, consistency, and creativity
• Introducing best practices and encouraging culinary innovation
• Working with the wider operations team to develop and enhance the catering service in schools and liaising with pupils, parents, and school staff

We're committed to excellence – from food safety to health & safety compliance, and above all, to making sure our service shines. You'll play a key role in stock control, team motivation, and keeping the kitchen environment running like clockwork – even when it's busy.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

• A strong catering or professional chef background
• Experience managing teams or training others in a kitchen setting
• A proactive, motivating approach and flexible, can-do attitude
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to work with our school clients and customers to promote the benefits of the service and maximise participation

Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Application Questions

• Why do you think eating healthily is so important for children and what is the impact of a healthy school meal for children?
• Please tell us about your experience of working in a kitchen, including the part you played in the production of food.
• Please tell us about your experience of supervising or managing staff responsible for producing large quantities of food.
• Please tell us about any other skills and qualifications you have that are relevant to this role.

If you're ready to inspire others, and be part of something truly impactful – apply now and let's cook up a better future together!

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please get in touch by emailing [e-mail] .

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 20th July 2025 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values .

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.