At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to prepare delicious, nutritious meals for students.
- Company: Caterlink, a leading education sector catering specialist.
- Benefits: Flexible term-time hours, employee discounts, and wellbeing services.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to growth and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on future generations with your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience cooking for large groups and managing kitchen operations.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Caterlink is the education sector catering specialist. For over 20 years, the Company has delivered fresh food solutions to pupils and staff at Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges across the UK. The company caters more than 1,000,000 meals a week. Our “Fresh Food Policy” is the foundation of our success and growth in the market coupled with a desire to truly deliver on the promises we make to our clients and support our site-based teams.
We are hiring for a Chef Manager at Poplar Primary School, Merton who wants to ensure our future generations are provided with nutritionally balanced and tasty food. This role is working term‑time only and no weekends so is great for those looking for flexibility.
The role:
- 30 hours per week working Monday – Friday
- Term‑time only – working 39 weeks per year
- Pay open to discussion
Your key responsibilities will include:
- To prepare, cook and present food to the standards required by Caterlink and the client
- To ensure that the location meets statutory and company requirements of Health and Safety, Food Safety and environmental legislations and procedures
- To ensure that the company’s reputation for excellent food and service is enhanced with the client and customers and expectations are consistently exceeded
- To be responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the location and supervising teams including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans
- To be the main point of contact for our client in your school ensuring that regular adjustments and improvements are both recommended and implemented
- Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and financial targets to ensure these are achieved
- Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role by ensuring all training is completed and performance is managed
Caterlink strives to always provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our teams where every individual is treated with respect, integrity and has the opportunity to grow and be treated equally and with fairness at all times. Caterlink is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be obtained for this role.
Qualifications:
- Previous experience of cooking for up to 280 meals per day
Additional Information:
- There are many advantages to working for us including: You have the opportunity of a blended learning programme that can include formal qualifications including apprenticeships, classroom training, eLearning and on the job training to support and encourage your development and enable you to be the best you can be
- We offer you access to our Employee Discount Platform where you can make great savings at supermarkets, cinema, restaurants as well as holiday discounts, family days out and many more!
- You will have full access to our Wellbeing Services including the Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits which are there for you and your family to use free of charge at any time
- You may be eligible to join our Pension scheme
School Chef Manager: Lead Kitchen, Term-Time 30hrs employer: Caterlink Ltd
Caterlink is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where you can thrive as a Chef Manager at Poplar Primary School in Merton. With a focus on employee growth through diverse training programmes and a commitment to work-life balance with term-time hours, you will enjoy the flexibility of no weekends while contributing to the health and wellbeing of future generations. Additionally, our comprehensive benefits package, including access to wellbeing services and employee discounts, ensures that you are well-supported both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef Manager: Lead Kitchen, Term-Time 30hrs
✨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 Chef Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your culinary skills showcased! Consider hosting a small cooking demo or tasting event for friends or local community members. This not only hones your skills but also gives you a chance to show off your passion for food and nutrition, which is key for a role at Caterlink.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay active on social media! Follow Caterlink and other relevant companies on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with their posts and share your thoughts on food trends or nutrition. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Caterlink. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your experience with large-scale meal preparation!
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef Manager: Lead Kitchen, Term-Time 30hrs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and providing nutritious meals shine through. We want to see how you can bring that passion to our team and make a difference in the lives of children.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to mention any previous experience you have in cooking for large groups, especially in a school setting. We’re looking for someone who can handle the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen, so share those stories!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for the Chef Manager role at Poplar Primary School.
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 the ball rolling on your journey with Caterlink.
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterlink Ltd
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with Caterlink's Fresh Food Policy and the types of meals they serve. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating nutritionally balanced and tasty food for the students. Showing your passion for healthy eating will definitely impress!
✨Health and Safety Savvy
Brush up on health and safety regulations related to food preparation and service. Be prepared to share examples of how you've ensured compliance in previous roles. This shows that you take food safety seriously, which is crucial in a school environment.
✨Team Leadership Skills
Think about your experience in managing kitchen teams and how you’ve supported their development. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led by example and helped others excel in their roles. Caterlink values strong leadership, so highlight your ability to motivate and train staff.
✨Client Communication
Since you'll be the main point of contact for the school, prepare to discuss how you would maintain effective communication with clients. Share any past experiences where you’ve successfully managed client relationships and implemented feedback. This will show that you can enhance the company's reputation through excellent service.
