Job Description
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Job Title: Catering Manager
Location: Treetops Learning Community
Pay: Band D16. £20,900 actual.
Hours:5hours per day, 9.30am - 2.30pm
term time plus one week
Required: November 2026
The Trust: In March 2025 Treetops School was judged by Ofsted to have maintained the standards identified at the previous inspection. The previous inspection was in February 2020, at which time Treetops was judged as Outstanding. Treetops Free School, which officially opened in September 2022, was judged Good in its first Ofsted inspection in March 2024.
Students throughout Treetops Learning Community have complex needs varying from moderate to severe learning difficulties, which may include; speech and communication difficulties, autism and global developmental delay.
The Role: The school Catering Manager is responsible for the effective day to day management of the Trust's catering service, ensuring that students and staff receive nutritious high-quality meals in a safe, welcoming and efficient environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manager the daily operation of the 2 school kitchens on site.
- Plan and organise the preparation and service of meals, and refreshments.
- Ensure meals are prepared and presented to a consistently high standard, in line with the Requirements for School Food Regulations 2015 and School Food Standards.
- Follow the Trust's safeguarding procedures and maintain professional boundaries when working with students.
- Ensure appropriate portion control and minimise food waste.
- Monitor Meal numbers and adjust production accordingly.
Food Safety and Hygiene
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health and safety requirements.
- Maintain accurate records, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules and food safety documentation.
- Follow and maintain the school's HACCP/food safety management procedures.
- Ensure appropriate storage, handling and preparation of food.
- Manage allergen information and ensure dietary requirements are correctly identified and catered for.
Staff Management
- Lead, supervise and motivate a team of catering staff
- Allocate daily duties and organise staff rotas.
- Monitor staff performance and address issues accordingly.
- Ensure staff follow food hygiene, health and safety and safeguarding procedures.
- Promote a positive, professional and customer focused working environment.
- Support recruitment, induction and training of catering employees.
Stock and Financial Management
- Order food, ingredients and catering supplies within agreed budgets.
- Check deliveries for quality, quantity and temperature where appropriate.
- Maintain appropriate stock levels and minimise waste.
- Monitor food costs and catering expenditure.
- Complete stock checks and maintain accurate records.
- Liaise with suppliers and report any quality or delivery issues.
Essential Key Skills and Qualities
- Experience of supervising or managing catering staff.
- Ability to work as part of a team in a busy kitchen environment.
- Understanding and patience when working around children with special educational needs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Awareness of food allergies and dietary requirements.
- Ability to follow hygiene and safety procedures carefully.
- Reliable, organised, and punctual.
- Experience and Qualifications
Preferred Qualities
- Previous experience in a school kitchen, catering, or food service environment (desirable but not always essential).
- Level 3 Food Hygiene/Safety Certificate.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working with children.
- Experience working with children or vulnerable groups is an advantage.
Working Requirements
The role may involve:
- Standing and walking for extended periods.
- Lifting and moving catering equipment, food deliveries and supplies.
- Exposure to heat, noise and cleaning chemicals.
An application form can be downloaded from our website www.treetopsschool.org and submitted either by hand, post or email (admin@treetops.thurrock.sch.uk) marked for the attention of Mrs K Lambie, HR Manager.
Closing date for applications:Friday 9 October2026
Interviews: week commencing 12 October 2026
The governing body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check, a medical check and satisfactory references.
Information about the School
The governing body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check, a medical check, satisfactory references and the successful completion of a 6 month probationary period.