At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic catering team and create delicious, healthy meals for students.
- Company: Join Aquinas College, a vibrant Catholic Sixth Form in Stockport.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and up to 37 days annual leave.
- Other info: Work in modern facilities with a supportive community focused on excellence.
- Why this job: Experience a work-life balance with daytime hours and weekends off.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in catering management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Aquinas College is a vibrant, thriving Catholic Sixth Form College in Stockport supporting over 2,500 students. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Catering Manager to lead our food service operations and inspire a dedicated team.
Why Join Aquinas College?
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy predictable daytime working hours with weekends and bank holidays off.
- Time Away: Option for term-time working—ideal for aligning with school holidays.
- Benefits: Outstanding public sector pension, supportive work culture, and on-site parking.
The Role
As Catering Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day delivery of a high-volume, cost-effective catering service. You will:
- Lead, motivate, and direct the front-of-house and kitchen catering team.
- Drive menu innovation to deliver healthy, high-quality, and affordable meals for students and staff.
- Manage stock, supplier relationships, food costs, and food hygiene compliance (HACCP / Health & Safety).
About You
- Proven experience as a Catering Manager, Head Chef, or Operations Supervisor in a high-volume environment (commercial, corporate, or educational).
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing kitchen/service teams.
- Sound understanding of food safety, health and safety compliance, and budget control.
- A customer-focused approach and a passion for great food.
Employee Benefits
- Up to 37 days annual leave including Public Holidays
- Family Leave arrangements
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Role Description
This full-time Catering Manager role at Aquinas College in Stockport involves managing day-to-day catering operations on-site. The role includes overseeing food preparation, managing staff, ensuring quality service, and maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations.
Qualifications
- Experience in food service management
- Knowledge of food safety regulations and standards
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Ability to manage budgets and control costs effectively
- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
Working hours
7.00 am – 3.00 pm Monday – Friday (30 minutes unpaid break) Total hours 37. Occasional hospitality etc may require some flexibility.
There are currently ten catering staff including the Catering Manager post, Assistant Cook, Supervisor and Catering Assistants.
Company Description
Aquinas College strives to be a Catholic college for the whole community, with Christ at the heart of its philosophy. The institution values each member of the community, celebrating the presence of Christ in all individuals. Aquinas College encourages high standards of achievement and a questioning stance towards secular society's values, aiming to provide reasons for living and hoping.
Catering Facilities
In 2010, we moved into new £42M premises with modern catering and dining facilities. Aquinas has over 2500 full time 16-19 year old students with approximately 118 full time equivalent (FTE) teaching staff and 55 FTE support staff. The college building includes kitchen areas professionally designed to the very highest standard.
- Ground floor Kitchen area comprising of staff facilities, office, suitable storage areas and well-designed kitchen area for food preparation and cooking (96m²)
- A hot food serving area
- Separate cold food serving area
- Discrete dish washing area
- Seating area for approximately 400 people (413m²)
- Outdoor covered seating over spill area
Catering Manager in Stockport employer: Aquinas College (Stockport)
Aquinas College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture and a strong commitment to work-life balance with predictable daytime hours and weekends off. Employees benefit from generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within a vibrant educational environment that values community and high standards of achievement.
Contact Details:
Aquinas College (Stockport) Recruitment Team
