School Meals Worker - Shelagh NS 18382Q

The Lunch Bag; Dundalk; On-site; EUR 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

The Lunch Bag in Ireland is seeking a School Meals Worker for a split-week role, Thursdays and Fridays only during the school term. You’ll heat and distribute meals prepared at our Nenagh HQ to classrooms, acting as the friendly on-site face in each school.

You’ll operate ovens, follow HACCP guidelines, restock snacks and fruit bowls, and maintain temperature and cleaning records. The role is ideal for a reliable, cheerful person who can lift up to 14 kg and bring warmth to the school day.

Qualifications

• Lift up to 14 kg boxes.
• Ability to read English and follow instructions.
• Heat meals to correct temperature per HACCP guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Load pre-packaged school meals into ovens and heat.
• Distribute lunches to classrooms after heating.
• Maintain temperature and cleaning records.
• Restock fruit bowls and snacks in classrooms.
• Ensure adequate stock levels and follow cleaning schedules.

Skills

Physically fit

Reliable

Team player

Job description

A little bit about us

Looking for a job that actually makes a difference - and fits into your day‑to‑day routine?

At The Lunch Bag, we deliver healthy, hot school meals to children across Ireland. We're the country’s leading school meal provider, and we’re on a mission to help kids build healthy habits for life.

We’re changing children’s lives, one lunch at a time. Are you flexible, bubbly, and keen to bring a little extra joy to the school day? We’re looking for people who want to help us keep driving forward and doing something great. Bonus? You’re off when the schools are!

So, what’s the job?

We’re on the hunt for a School Meals Worker to join us on a split-week basis, working Thursdays and Fridays only – a reliable, cheerful person who takes pride in doing things right and brings a bit of warmth to every school day.

Think of yourself as the final link in the lunch chain – the friendly face everyone sees, and the front‑line hero representing us in the school. All meals are prepared in our headquarters in Nenagh, Tipperary, and then delivered to the schools. It’s from there that you’ll take over. Your duties will consist of heating the meals in the oven and then distributing them to classrooms.

If you’re a detail addict and thought this was a little vague, here’s a list for you:

• Load pre-packaged school meals into ovens.

• Turn on oven and heat meals to specific temperature according to HACCP guidelines.

• Unload ovens and distribute lunches to classrooms.

• Ensure adequate stock levels.

• Follow and maintain work and cleaning schedule.

• Maintain temperature and cleaning records.

• Restock the fruit bowls in each classroom.

• Distribute snacks to classrooms.

• HACCP and Manual Handling Training will be provided.

What we’re looking for

Since you’ll be representing The Lunch Bag in schools, we’re looking for doers - people who are sound, good‑natured, and genuinely care about doing a good job. Our values matter to us, and to keep improving the lives of children across the country, we need people who share that same goal.

We’re not asking for bodybuilders, but you do need to be able to lift 14kg boxes as part of the job. You may also need to climb some stairs – not every school in Ireland has a lift (just yet)!

Working with children is really rewarding – their cute little faces can brighten your day... just don’t let them get hungry or they’ll turn into tiny monsters! So we’re looking for someone who can work quickly, stay calm under pressure, and still do things properly.

If you’ve worked with kids or food before, great. If not, don’t let it put you off - we value people from all backgrounds and we’ll show you the ropes.

All you need is the ability to read English, follow instructions, and heat each lunch with care.

I still have questions actually…

No problem! We’re here to answer them.

• When will I work?

This is a split-week position, working 3 hours a day on Thursdays and Fridays only during the school term.

• Will I have to work all year long?

No! As schools close for the summer, we follow the academic calendar. You’ll work Thursdays and Fridays during the school term, with school holidays and the summer off.

• What benefits do I get by joining The Lunch Bag?

Well, for starters - a decent rate of pay and a genuinely supportive team who’ve got your back.

The role’s flexible, ideal if you’re looking to ease back into work or just want something steady during school terms.

And best of all? You get to be part of a lovely school environment, surrounded by friendly faces (and the occasional tiny comedian in a uniform).

• How much is it paid?

It’s THE question everybody is asking! The same way we take care of the children in the schools, we take care of our people. You will earn €14.65 per hour.