Trust Catering Service Lead

Apex Collaborative Trust; Barrowford; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Collaborative Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Trust Catering Service Lead to provide strategic and operational leadership for catering across our trust schools.

You will lead the transition from outsourced to in-house catering, develop and review a trust-wide catering strategy aligned with educational priorities, and manage school kitchen managers and catering teams. The role requires strong written, numerical and oral skills and a proactive, self-motivated approach.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic operations within a complex organisation.
• Proven leadership in catering or food service management.
• Strong written, numerical and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for catering across trust schools.
• Lead the transition from outsourced to in‑house catering.
• Develop and review a trust-wide catering strategy aligned with educational priorities.
• Manage school kitchen managers and catering teams during the transition.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations management

Team leadership

Budget and governance

Job description

Salary Range: Grade 10 (SCP 35 - 40 £47,665 - £53,052)

Contract Type: Full Year

Contract Term: Permanent

Start Date: As soon as possible (pending notice periods)

Closing Date: 10.00 am on Monday 9th November 26

Interview Date: 13th November 2026

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, experienced and well-qualified Trust Catering Service Lead to provide strategic and operational leadership for catering services across the trust schools. You will be a key member of the Apex Support Team, leading the Trust’s move to a high-quality, nutritious, compliant and financially sustainable in-house catering service across our schools.

We are looking to recruit an individual:

Who aligns to our culture and values.

With a high level of written, numerical and oral skills.

With previous experience of strategic operations in a complex organisation.

Who is self-motivated, proactive and shows a high degree of initiative.

Who can lead, manage and develop school kitchen managers and catering teams during the transition from outsourced to in-house catering.

Who can successfully develop, implement and review a trust-wide catering strategy aligned h the trust values and educational priorities.

Closing date for applications is 10:00am on Monday 9th November 2026 - Interviews will take place on 13th November 2026