Catering Manager

Meacentral; Manchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational trust is seeking a committed Catering Manager to oversee the efficient operation of the catering service within a high school setting in Manchester. This role involves managing a team, ensuring compliance with food safety and health regulations, and delivering high-quality nutritious meals. The ideal candidate will have relevant catering qualifications and operational experience in a high-volume catering environment, alongside strong people management and communication skills. This position is permanent, full-time, and involves a salary starting at £24,998.

Qualifications

• Catering qualifications such as NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking.
• Operational experience managing a high-volume catering service.
• Strong people management skills to lead and develop a diverse team.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills for accurate administration.
• Knowledge of food safety, health and safety regulations.
• Strong communication skills in spoken English.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a quality, cost-effective catering service per service level agreements.
• Manage financial tasks like cash reconciliation and ordering.
• Line-manage the catering team, including training and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, COSHH, and health & safety regulations.
• Seek feedback for service improvements and trial new menu ideas.

Skills

Catering qualifications such as NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking

Operational experience managing a high-volume catering service

Strong people management skills

Excellent literacy and numeracy skills

Knowledge of food safety and health regulations

Strong communication skills

Commitment to safeguarding and equality

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking

Foundation Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Job Description

We are currently seeking a committed and experienced Catering Manager to lead the delivery of an outstanding, efficient and customer-focused catering service at MEA Central.

This is a permanent post working 35 hours per week,toirt time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £24,998 and the full time equivalent is £29,064 Grade 5.As Catering Manager, you will oversee all aspects of the school’s catering service, from managing staff and ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, to overseeing finances and delivering high quality, nutritious meals that support a healthy learning environment.

You will report to the Trust’s Catering Managers and manage the school-based catering team, working closely with the school’s leadership team, catering colleagues across the Trust, and external contractors.

About the role

We are seeking a Catering Manager to be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient operation of all aspects of the catering service in a high school setting, including management of the team, cash reconciliation and the completion of all financial returns. You will report to the Head of Catering and manage catering staff within theCGRect. The exact position is to work closely with school leadership colleagues and catering colleagues across the Trust as well as external contractors.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading a quality, cost-effective catering service in line with agreed service level agreements (SLAs), health regulations and Trust policies.

• Adhering to pre-planned menus that meet both nutritional standards and customer expectations.

• Managing financial tasks, including cash reconciliation, ordering, and completing returns in line with Trust financial procedures.

• Line‑managing the catering team, including training and development, attendance, performance management and payroll returns.

• sajiv delivering a courteous, responsive and inclusive catering service to scholars, staff and visitors.

• Ens Planned compliance with food hygiene, COSHH and health & safety regulations.

• Playing an active role in service improvements, including trialling new menu ideas and seeking feedback.

empo

• Supporting the Trust’s values and safeguarding responsibilities.

To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the attached job description.

What we’re looking for

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive individual with:

• Catering qualifications such as NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking (or working towards it), plus a Foundation Food Hygiene Certificate.

• Operational experience of managing a high‑volume catering service where quality, service and detail are prioritised.

• Strong people management skills and the ability to lead and develop a diverse team.

• Excellent literacy BUG and numeracy skills for accurate administration and record‑keeping.

• Knowledge of food safety, health and safety, and allergen regulations.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, fo the ability to converse at ease in accurate spoken English.

• A commitment to safeguarding, equality and professional development.

\läuft

How to Apply

Please follow the online application process to be considered. Interviews will take place in school shortly after the advert closing, early applications are encouraged.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofाता children and youngOperations. It is defined in the attached job description.