At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create fresh, seasonal meals for students every day.
- Company: Join Impact Food Group, one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, uniform, and opportunities for training and career growth.
- Other info: Work-life balance with no evenings or weekends, plus monthly team incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by promoting healthy eating habits.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for preparing fresh food.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.
The role involves working at Adel Primary School, Leeds, LS16, with working days from Monday to Friday, shifts from 8am-2pm (30 hours per week), and 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days).
As a Cook Manager, you’ll lead a friendly kitchen team to deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students each day. This is a hands-on management role, where you’ll oversee the kitchen, support your team, and ensure smooth service.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen
- Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
- Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for the school
- Planning menus, managing stock, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
- Liaising directly with onsite clients and stakeholders
- Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently
We’re looking for an experienced Cook/Chef Manager with strong leadership skills and a passion for food:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal food
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Good organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards
- Good understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations
This role offers an excellent work-life balance:
- Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
- All school holidays off
- Free meal on shift and provided uniform
- Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
- Access to free qualifications
- Monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers
You’ll also have the chance to help children explore healthy eating and build positive food habits that last a lifetime.
We’re committed to safeguarding children. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for. We are a committed equal opportunities employer. If you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.
School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh Meals (Term Time) in Leeds employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where you can thrive as a Cook Manager at Adel Primary School in Leeds. With a focus on work-life balance, you’ll enjoy daytime hours and all school holidays off, alongside opportunities for professional development and team incentives. Join us in making a positive impact on students' lives through nutritious meals while enjoying the benefits of a friendly and dynamic kitchen team.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh Meals (Term Time) in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and education sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Cook Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings at schools or catering companies.
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow Impact Food Group and similar companies on social media. Engage with their posts and share your passion for fresh, seasonal meals. This can help you get noticed and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to kitchen management and team leadership. Think about specific examples from your experience that showcase your skills in managing a kitchen and motivating a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to making great food for students.
We think you need these skills to ace School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh Meals (Term Time) in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh meals shine through. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your enthusiasm for food and how it can positively impact students' lives.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, especially in high-volume catering environments.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Tailor your application by detailing your relevant experience managing kitchens, particularly in schools or similar settings. Mention specific achievements or challenges you've overcome to show us you're the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals that Impact Food Group serves. Be ready to discuss how you would plan seasonal menus and ensure they meet nutritional standards. This shows your passion for food and understanding of what the role entails.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop staff, as well as how you handle challenges. This will demonstrate that you're not just a cook, but a capable manager.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in a busy kitchen environment. This is crucial for the role, and showing your expertise will set you apart.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your interest in the company by inquiring about their approach to healthy eating and how they engage with students. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
