We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced Kitchen Manager to lead our in-house catering service. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the school kitchen, ensuring the provision of a safe, efficient, and high-quality catering service that meets the nutritional needs of our students and staff. You will play a key role in promoting a healthy eating culture across the school.
Key Responsibilities
Menu Planning and Food Production:
- Plan, create, and cost imaginative, nutritious, and well-balanced menus that comply with the School Food Standards.
- Cater for all dietary requirements, including allergies, intolerances, and cultural needs, ensuring all food is clearly labelled.
- Oversee and participate in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of all meals to the highest standard.
- Ensure portion control and minimise food wastage.
Staff Management and Leadership:
- Lead, manage, and motivate the kitchen team, including undertaking staff rotas, training, and performance management.
- Foster a positive and professional working environment.
- Ensure all staff are trained in food safety, health and safety, and allergy awareness.
Financial Management:
- Manage the catering budget effectively, ensuring financial targets are met.
- Undertake all ordering of food and supplies from approved suppliers, ensuring best value for money.
- Complete regular stocktakes and maintain accurate financial records.
Health, Safety, and Hygiene:
- Ensure the kitchen and all catering areas are maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
- Implement and maintain all food safety management systems, including HACCP procedures.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety and food hygiene legislation and school policies.
- Conduct regular safety checks and risk assessments.
Communication and Administration:
- Liaise effectively with the School Business Manager, senior leadership team, staff, students, and parents.
- Promote the catering service through theme days and other initiatives.
- Maintain all necessary records for food safety, finance, and staff.
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience:
- Proven experience as a Kitchen Manager or Head Chef in a similar environment (e.g., school, college, or large-scale catering operation).
- Experience in menu planning, food costing, and budget management.
- Experience in leading and managing a team.
- Qualifications:
- A relevant catering qualification (e.g., City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery).
- Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.
- A thorough understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
- Skills and Knowledge:
- Excellent knowledge of the School Food Standards and nutritional guidelines for children.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- The ability to work effectively under pressure in a busy environment.
- Financial acumen and experience in managing budgets.
- A commitment to promoting healthy eating.
- A positive and proactive approach to work.
Desirable
- First Aid at Work certificate.
- Experience of working within a school environment.
- Experience with catering software for menu planning and stock control.
Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
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