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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create delicious meals for children and staff.
- Company: Join St Brigid's Primary School, a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, stable hours, and a chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Be a key player in providing quality catering and shaping young lives.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 2 in food preparation or equivalent experience required.
- Other info: Enjoy a Monday to Friday schedule with opportunities for training and growth.
We are recruiting for a Catering Manager. The Catering Manager is responsible for the efficient day-to-day management of the kitchen. Leadership and team participation are essential to provide a quality catering service to our children, young people, and staff.
Responsibilities
- Execute skilled cooking activities and innovation connected to the full range of menu provisions, for example, preparation of menus, portion control, plating presentation, special dietary meals, including the texture modification of food.
- Organise and supervise all aspects of food service, including service points and the transportation of meals, if required.
- Follow EA policies and procedures for safe cooking and food service to meet current standards of food safety legislation.
- Efficient management of the teams, ensuring we deliver a high-quality service.
- Supervise and direct employees, including allocating duties and work rotas. Where employed at a transporting kitchen, duties also incorporate the Catering Assistants\’ work routine and the dining centres\’ operational issues, including regular visits.
- Monitor the unit\’s financial performance, maintain costs within pre‑budgeted targets, and assist in implementing financial procedures and activities within the catering service.
- Complete clerical duties, i.e., bookwork, ordering of goods, and accident reporting, associated with the efficient running of the kitchen.
- All duties will be carried out to comply with the following: Acts of Parliament, Statutory Legislation and Regulations and other legal requirements. Codes of Practice, HACCP (Hazard analysis of critical control points) regulations.
- Attend training sessions as scheduled and team meetings as required, including sessions during school closure periods.
Skills and Qualifications
- Hold either NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706‑1 & 706‑2 or equivalent or higher relevant qualification or Two years’ experience of food preparation and cooking within a catering establishment.
- Evidence of effective supervision or management of a catering team.
- Demonstrable experience in stock control, budget management and financial controls.
- Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
- Knowledge of the provision of special diets, e.g. allergens and ethnic diets.
- Willing to undertake job related training.
- Please provide sufficient information below to satisfy that you have access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of this post in an efficient and effective manner.
- Demonstrable experience in IT skills, including MS Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
- Experience of delivering training.
Further Information
Location: St Brigid\’s Primary School, Downpatrick. Salary £16.5261 to £17.3651 per hour. Contract Type: Permanent. Weekly hours: 35. Worktime: Monday – Friday, (7:30‑3pm with 1/2 hour lunch unpaid). Published date: 03/12/2025. Closing date: 17/12/2025. The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.
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Catering Manager employer: Education Authority Northern Ireland
Contact Detail:
Education Authority Northern Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, attend local events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes, menu designs, or even a video of you in action. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially when it comes to providing quality service to children and young people.
✨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 about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your cooking skills and any relevant qualifications in your application. We want to see how you can bring your culinary expertise to our kitchen!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your experience and qualifications shine through without unnecessary fluff.
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 Education Authority Northern Ireland
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with the types of menus you’ll be working with. Be ready to discuss how you would prepare special dietary meals and manage portion control. This shows your expertise and passion for catering.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a team in the past. Discuss your approach to supervising staff, allocating duties, and ensuring high-quality service. This will demonstrate your capability as a Catering Manager.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on HACCP regulations and food safety legislation. Be prepared to explain how you ensure compliance in a kitchen setting. This knowledge is crucial for the role and will impress your interviewers.
✨Be Ready with Financial Insights
Familiarise yourself with budget management and stock control practices. Bring examples of how you’ve maintained costs within targets in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to manage the financial aspects of the catering service.
