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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 Monday to Friday hours, no late nights, and generous time off during school holidays.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing company with opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred, with experience in fresh ingredients and financial management.
- Other info: Commitment to safeguarding children is essential; enhanced DBS check required.
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. By providing excellent care and services to both clients and children, we have ensured the successful growth of the company and to keep up with the rapid pace of this growth, we are now looking for an experienced Catering Manager to join the team.
The role: As the Catering Manager you will have full operational and financial responsibility for your schools 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: 30 hours per week - with no late nights Working 38.6 weeks per year based around term time - what could you do with all that time off? £13.35 per hour
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.
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 discuss innovative ideas that align with Aspens Services' mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering and education sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at Aspens Services.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills. As a Catering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to motivate and develop a team, so think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or improved service standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Aspens Services Ltd thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and the specific challenges they face in the school catering sector. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to their success.
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. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed catering operations or improved service standards in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have an OND or HND qualification, make sure to mention it prominently. 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. Talk about your previous experiences with fresh ingredients and how you can bring creativity to the menu development.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading and motivating a team. Share specific examples of how you've coached staff in the past and how you plan to develop your team in this role.
✨Understand Financial Management
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of financial management, particularly in relation to gross profit and cost control. Show that you can manage budgets effectively and drive sales through promotions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health and Safety Practices
Since health and safety is crucial in catering, be ready to talk about your understanding of relevant legislation and practices. Mention any audits or compliance checks you've conducted in previous roles.
