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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

Join Our Team as a Cook Manager – Lead One of Our Largest School Catering Operations

Days/Shift Pattern: Monday – Friday (Term Time Only – 39 weeks, paid over 52 weeks)

Working Hours: 7:00am – 3:00pm

Salary: £18.50 per hour, plus an excellent benefits package

At Sodexo, we know that school meals do far more than feed students—they fuel learning, wellbeing and success.

We're looking for an experienced Cook Manager who thrives in a busy, high-volume catering environment and enjoys leading from the front. This is an exciting opportunity to manage one of our larger secondary school catering operations, serving up to 1,500 freshly prepared meals each day.

If you're passionate about producing quality food, developing teams and delivering an exceptional dining experience whilst enjoying an outstanding work-life balance, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Cook Manager, you'll be responsible for the overall running of the school kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, customer service, compliance and operational excellence.

Working closely with your catering team, school staff and Sodexo management, you'll oversee the daily catering operation whilst creating a positive dining experience for students and staff.

No two days are the same, and you'll play a key role in ensuring every service runs smoothly.

Your Responsibilities Include:

• Leading a busy kitchen producing up
• Preparing and cooking fresh, nutritious meals
• Managing and motivating a large catering team
• Supporting, training and developing kitchen staff
• Managing food ordering, deliveries and supplier relationships
• Completing daily paperwork and compliance documentation
• Running daily operational reports
• Carrying out weekly stock takes and inputting stock information onto company systems
• Managing food costs and stock control to achieve financial targets
• Ensuring excellent food presentation and customer service
• Maintaining exceptional Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety standards
• Managing allergen compliance and food safety procedures
• Preparing for internal and external audits
• Working collaboratively with the school leadership team and Sodexo management
• Helping to drive meal uptake through engaging food offers and themed events

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on both your team and the students you serve every day.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for an experienced catering professional who enjoys leading busy kitchen operations and takes pride in delivering excellent food and service.

• Previous experience as a
• Experience within

school catering, education catering, contract catering or other large-scale catering environments

• Experience cooking for

high-volume services (500–1,500 covers)

• Strong leadership experience managing large kitchen teams
• Excellent cooking skills and food presentation
• Experience managing food ordering, stock control and budgets
• Experience completing kitchen administration and compliance paperwork
• Strong computer skills and confidence using catering systems
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP and Health & Safety legislation
• Ability to remain calm under pressure whilst leading a busy service
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
• Previous Cook Manager experience within education catering
• Experience increasing school meal uptake
• Knowledge of School Food Standards
• Experience completing daily reports and weekly stock management using computerised systems
• Experience leading, motivating and developing large catering teams
• Knowledge of allergen management

What We Offer

At Sodexo, this is more than just a job — it’s your chance to be part of something greater. We celebrate individuality, encourage purpose-driven work, and empower you to succeed on your own terms. When you join us, you’ll become part of a supportive team with opportunities to grow, develop and make a real difference every day.

• Free meal provided each working day
• Excellent work-life balance with Monday–Friday working hours
• Term-time working with school holidays off
• Opportunities for career growth and progression within Sodexo
• Unlimited access to an online mental health and wellbeing support platform
• Employee Assistance Programme offering legal, financial and personal support
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Exclusive discounts for you, your family and friends through the Sodexo Discounts Scheme
• Membership in the Mercer Aspire Pension Plan to help you save for your future
• Learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills and support career progression
• Cycle to Work Scheme, supporting both your wellbeing and the environment

Ready to Be Part of Something Greater?

If you're an experienced Cook Manager looking to lead a large, fast-paced school catering operation where you can make a real difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Friendly customers. Vibrant communities. Exciting careers.

Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.