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 all school holidays off and monthly team incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' wellbeing through delicious, nutritious 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 involves working at Rushall Primary School & Oakwood School, Pelsall Lane, WS4. The working days are Monday to Friday, with shifts from 8am to 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.
Daytime School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh Seasonal Meals in Willenhall employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where you can lead a passionate kitchen team in delivering fresh, seasonal meals to students. With a focus on work-life balance, you’ll enjoy daytime hours, all school holidays off, and opportunities for professional growth through training and development. Join us in making a positive impact on children's eating habits while enjoying benefits like free meals on shift and monthly team incentives.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Daytime School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh Seasonal Meals in Willenhall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food industry, especially those who have experience in school catering. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a job fair or an informal coffee, talk about your love for cooking and how you can bring fresh, seasonal meals to students.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to kitchen management and team leadership. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our mission of delivering great food to schools.
We think you need these skills to ace Daytime School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh Seasonal Meals in Willenhall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh, seasonal meals shine through. We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to provide great food for students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your previous experience in managing kitchens or teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in the past.
Be Organised and Clear:Keep your application well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary to highlight your skills and experiences, especially those related to food hygiene and safety regulations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. 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 fresh, seasonal meals that Impact Food Group serves. Be ready to discuss how you would plan menus and ensure they meet nutritional standards while appealing to students.
✨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 in a high-volume catering environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to school kitchens. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance and maintain high standards in your kitchen operations.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, make sure to engage with your interviewers by asking questions about their approach to school meals and how they support student wellbeing. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to their mission.
