Catering Manager

Job Description

Catering Manager

LG Scale 6 (Point 14 to 18). Actual salary: £22,244 to £23,748 (Pay Award pending)

Hours: 32.5 hours per week (7.30am to 2.30pm)

Term time plus one week.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced hands-on Catering Manager, to lead our friendly hardworking kitchen team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a cheerful, reliable and motivated individual with a genuine passion for creating exciting, nutritious meals and delivering an excellent dining experience for our children every day.

The successful candidate will take pride in preparing, cooking and serving freshly made meals in a busy but rewarding environment. You will work alongside an Assistant Catering Manager and a small team of 6 catering assistants, serving an average of 450 meals a day.

The role also includes food ordering, completing food safety records, monthly stock takes, understanding budget control, maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, and ensuring paperwork is completed accurately and on time.

The successful candidate will have:

· Previous catering experience, ideally within a school environment / large scale catering

· Effective communication skills, ability to work at a fast pace and remain calm under pressure

· Confidence leading and motivating a team in a fast-paced kitchen

· A positive down to earth approach and strong team-working skills

· Passionate about creating healthy, balanced meals that our children enjoy

· A current level 3 Food Hygiene and Allergen certificate, or willing to undertake

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and strongly encouraged. Please call Sarah Mark, HR Officer, to arrange a visit.

To apply for this post, and request an application form, please contact Sarah Mark, HR Officer on 01268 743445 or email sarahmark@grovewood.essex.sch.uk. Application forms can also be downloaded from our website.

Grove Wood Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, medical check and satisfactory references.

We are a TPP (Trauma Perceptive Practice) school

Closing Date: Noon Thursday 17th September 2026

Interview Date: TBC.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.