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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to deliver top-notch food and service in schools.
- Company: Aspens Services Ltd is a leading contract catering company focused on school food.
- Benefits: Enjoy fantastic hours, competitive salary, and no late nights during term time.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing company with opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred; experience with fresh ingredients and financial management is a plus.
- Other info: Commitment to safeguarding children is essential; enhanced DBS disclosure required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About Us: Aspens Services Ltd is a market leading contract catering company specialising in school food. By combining our understanding of the education sector and our knowledge of what's on trend in the food world, we encourage creativity and excitement in our kitchens, allowing our teams to do what they do best and provide fantastic food experiences for the children.
The role: As the Chef Manager you will have full operational and financial responsibility for your school's catering facility, focusing on delivering the highest quality of food and service as well as having the flair, originality and the ability to make this one of the best school catering offers in the area.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, developing, coaching, training, and motivating the team in your kitchen
- Having full control of the catering operation including stock, food, and labour costs
- Ensuring consistency of food and service standards delivered to the students and staff
- Driving sales through monthly promotions and added value events
- Managing and improving all controllable costs
- Overseeing menu development
- Maintaining company systems & procedures, and legislation
- Carrying out regular audits to ensure standards are being met
About you: We need someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional food and service to our schools along with the following skills and experience:
- OND or HND qualified (not a deal-breaker but would be advantageous)
- Craft based experience using fresh ingredients
- Knowledge of health and safety practises
- Financial understanding of gross profit management and achieving sales targets
- Line management experience
- Experience within a similar environment
Why join us? Firstly, fantastic hours. You'll work Monday to Friday during school term time meaning more time with friends and family and no working at Christmas! This role is: 40 hours per week - with no late nights Working 39 weeks per year based around term time - what could you do with all that time off? Highly competitive salary.
You’ll also benefit from: Working for a fast growing, ambitious company. There is no ceiling here in terms of where you can take your career. A dedicated L&D team to support you in developing your skills including apprenticeships and training courses that are available for everyone.
Please note, we do expect all staff to share our commitment of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
Catering Manager employer: Aspens Services
Contact Detail:
Aspens Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in school catering and food service. Understanding what excites children about food can help you stand out during interviews, as you'll be able to demonstrate your passion for creating engaging menus.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. Attend relevant events or join online forums to gain insights and potentially get referrals that could boost your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous experiences where you've successfully managed a team. Highlighting your ability to motivate and develop staff will resonate well with the hiring managers at Aspens Services Ltd.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would handle financial responsibilities, such as managing costs and driving sales. Being able to articulate your strategies for achieving gross profit management will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Catering Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience in catering management, including any specific achievements related to food quality, team leadership, and financial management.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for providing exceptional food and service in schools. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a team and manage catering operations effectively.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have an OND or HND qualification, make sure to mention it prominently in your application. Also, include any certifications related to health and safety practices, as these are important for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspens Services
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for creating exceptional food experiences. Share examples of how you've used fresh ingredients and innovative ideas in your previous roles to engage the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Catering Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in coaching and motivating staff. Highlight specific instances where you successfully developed your team or improved kitchen operations.
✨Understand Financial Management
Since the role involves financial responsibility, brush up on your knowledge of gross profit management and cost control. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and driven sales in past positions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health and Safety Practices
Health and safety are crucial in catering. Make sure you can talk about relevant legislation and how you've implemented safety practices in your previous roles. This will show that you take compliance seriously.
