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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 38 weeks off per year.
- Why this job: Join a creative environment with opportunities for growth and skill development.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred; experience with fresh ingredients and financial management needed.
- 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.
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: 30 hours per week - with no late nights, working 38 weeks per year based around term time - what could you do with all that time off? £14 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.
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 it shows your passion for creating engaging dining experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school settings. Attend local food events or workshops to connect with others and gain insights that could be beneficial in your role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your financial management skills in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed costs and driven sales in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Catering Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership abilities by preparing examples of how you've developed and motivated teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in coaching and training staff will demonstrate your capability to lead a kitchen effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering management, particularly in a school or similar environment. Emphasise your skills in leading teams, managing costs, and ensuring food quality.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for providing exceptional food and service. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed catering operations and improved service standards in the past.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have an OND or HND qualification, be sure to mention it prominently. Even if you don't, highlight any craft-based experience and knowledge of health and safety practices that would make you a strong candidate.
Showcase Financial Acumen: Demonstrate your understanding of financial management in your application. Include examples of how you've managed costs, achieved sales targets, and contributed to the financial success of previous catering operations.
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 love for fresh ingredients and how you keep up with food trends, as this aligns with the company's mission.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and motivated a team in previous roles. Highlight your experience in coaching and developing staff, as this is crucial for the Chef Manager position.
✨Understand Financial Management
Be ready to discuss your knowledge of financial aspects like gross profit management and cost control. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed budgets or driven sales through promotions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health and Safety Practices
Since health and safety are paramount in catering, brush up on relevant legislation and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles to ensure compliance and safety.
