Job Description
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Catering Manager - Explorers
Required: January 2027 Contract Type: Permanent
Scale: 5 Points: 10-13
Annual Salary: £29,361 - £30,776 Actual Salary: £4,137.76 - £4,397.03
Working weeks: 38 weeks per year Hours: 4.15pm-5.30pm, 5 days per week
Buttsbury Primary School is seeking an organised and enthusiastic Catering Manager to run the catering service for Explorers, our after-school childcare provision.
Preparing approximately 30-40 meals each day, you will help children enjoy tasty, nutritious and balanced food in a safe and welcoming environment. Reporting to the Headteacher, you will take responsibility for menu planning, food preparation and presentation, ordering supplies and managing stock within the agreed budget.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Planning and regularly reviewing varied nutritionally balanced menus, taking account of children's feedback and dietary needs.
- Preparing and serving meals to agreed standards, recipes and portion sizes.
- Ordering through approved suppliers, checking deliveries and ensuring food is stored correctly.
- Managing stock rotation, monitoring costs and identifying ways to reduce waste.
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene and kitchen safety.
- Following food safety and allergen requirements and the school's allergy procedures.
- Working closely with school staff and suppliers to maintain an efficient catering service.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in school catering or a large-scale catering environment.
- Holds relevant qualifications at NVQ level 3 and is willing to undertake Level 3 allergy awareness training.
- Has sound understanding of food hygiene, health and safety and safe catering practices.
- Has excellent organisational skills and can manage their time and work independently.
- Communicate clearly with children and adults and works effectively as part of a team.
- Is committed to safeguarding, equality and children's wellbeing.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children. The appointment will require an enhanced DBS disclosure. Please note that the school will conduct searches for information on shortlisted candidates which is publicly available on-line.
To arrange a tour or a phone conversation with the school business manager, please contact the junior site office on 01277 623217 or email: zhudson@buttsburyprimary.essex.sch.uk
(Please note that we may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate before the closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible).
Closing Date: Wednesday 25th November 2026
Shortlisting: Thursday 26th November 2026
Interviews: Thursday 3rd December 2026