Cook Manager: Lead High-Volume School Catering (Term-Time)

Sodexo Ltd; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Work-life balance

Term-time schedule

Career progression

Mental health support

Pension plan

Job summary

Sodexo Ltd is hiring a Cook Manager to lead a large school catering operation, serving up to 1,500 meals daily. You will oversee a busy kitchen, drive quality food, manage a sizable team and coordinate with school staff to deliver an exceptional dining experience.

The role requires strong leadership, food safety expertise, and budget management, with term-time hours 7:00am–3:00pm, Monday–Friday, 39 weeks per year. Competitive benefits accompany the position.

Qualifications

• Previous experience leading busy kitchen operations.
• Experience in school/education or contract catering, or other large-scale catering.
• Experience cooking for high-volume services (500–1,500 covers).
• Strong leadership managing large kitchen teams; excellent cooking and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a busy kitchen producing high-volume meals.
• Manage and motivate a large catering team and develop staff.
• Oversee procurement, stock control and supplier relationships; manage food costs.
• Ensure food safety, HACCP and Health & Safety standards; complete compliance paperwork.
• Prepare daily operational reports and weekly stock takes.
• Collaborate with school leadership and Sodexo management to drive meal uptake.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Food safety

Budget management

Customer service

Organisational skills

Communication

Allergen management

Tools

Catering systems

Job description

Sodexo Ltd is hiring a Cook Manager to lead a large school catering operation, serving up to 1,500 meals daily. You will oversee a busy kitchen, drive quality food, manage a sizable team and coordinate with school staff to deliver an exceptional dining experience.

The role requires strong leadership, food safety expertise, and budget management, with term-time hours 7:00am–3:00pm, Monday–Friday, 39 weeks per year. Competitive benefits accompany the position.