At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create fresh, seasonal meals for students every day.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, 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 impact on children's health and wellbeing through delicious food.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for cooking required.
The predicted salary is between 22575 - 22575 £ 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. Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.
The role is based at Rushall Primary School & Oakwood School, Pelsall Lane, WS4. Working days are Monday to Friday, with shifts from 8am-3.30pm (35 hours per week) for 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days). The pay is £22,575 per annum.
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. Plus, opportunities for training, development, and career progression, access to free qualifications, staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers, and 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.
IFG is committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. 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.
Cook Manager in Willenhall employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Cook Managers at Rushall Primary School & Oakwood School. With a focus on work-life balance, employees enjoy daytime hours, all school holidays off, and opportunities for professional development, including access to free qualifications. Join us in making a positive impact on students' lives through nutritious meals while benefiting from team incentives and a friendly kitchen culture.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager in Willenhall
✨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 job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow Impact Food Group and similar companies on social media. Engage with their posts and share your passion for food and leadership. 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. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you feel ready to impress!
✨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 at Impact Food Group. Don’t forget to highlight your passion for fresh, seasonal meals in your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager in Willenhall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for preparing fresh, seasonal meals and how you can inspire students to enjoy healthy eating.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, especially in high-volume catering environments like schools.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:We want to see your organisational skills in action! Mention any experience you have with menu planning, stock management, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene standards. This will show us you're ready to keep everything running smoothly.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way for us to receive your details and get you started on this exciting journey with Impact Food Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about seasonal ingredients and menu ideas that would resonate with students. Being able to discuss your vision for fresh, nutritious meals will show your passion for food and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your strong people management skills and proactive approach.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. This knowledge is crucial for the role and will highlight your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the schools and their catering needs. Showing genuine interest in their operations and how you can contribute will set you apart as a candidate who is not just looking for a job, but is eager to make a positive impact.
