At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic catering team and ensure exceptional service for students and staff.
- Company: Join Ferndown Upper School's in-house catering service, serving over 1,000 students.
- Benefits: Enjoy CPD opportunities, health support, and access to exclusive staff discounts.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student life while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in busy kitchens and a Level 2 Food Safety Certificate required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking to recruit a Catering Manager on a 1 year fixed term contract to run our busy kitchen and lead the catering team. The successful applicant will be a natural leader with good communication skills to motivate the team in providing an exceptional and outstanding service to students and staff.
Responsibilities
- Support the day‑to‑day running of the catering service, ensuring high standards of cleanliness, food presentation and customer service within the café and kitchen areas.
- Supervise and support the catering team to provide a consistent and friendly service to students, staff and visitors.
- Assist with staff induction, training and ongoing development where required.
- Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Environmental Health and Health & Safety procedures and guidelines.
- Assist with monitoring budgets, controlling costs and maintaining accurate catering records and generating reports.
- Monitor stock levels, support ordering processes and help minimise wastage.
- Maintain positive working relationships with suppliers and support value‑for‑money purchasing.
- Support the School Business Manager in delivering hospitality and catering services across the school.
- Supervise, direct and train Kitchen Assistants.
- Generate and process all food orders, pass invoices for payment and keep all records and stock books as required.
- Prepare, cook, manage and serve school meals.
- Supervise lunch time service and maintain all areas of the kitchen and equipment to required standards of hygiene.
- Wash up, as appropriate, and prepare beverages and refreshments as requested.
- Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school's safeguarding and child protection policy.
- Deal with routine enquiries from staff, students and visitors; refer more complex queries to the Headteacher.
- Decide on the school meals to be provided when no menu is specified, under the guidance of the Headteacher.
- Order stock when appropriate.
- Handle and operate a range of kitchen and food preparation equipment (ovens, hobs, food processors, cutting equipment, pans and catering machinery).
Qualifications
- Experience working within a busy catering or kitchen environment.
- Confident in supporting the day‑to‑day running of a catering service.
- Level 2 Food Safety Certificate (Level 3 desirable, with training and support provided if required).
- Minimum basic food and hygiene qualification, preferably City and Guilds 706/1 or equivalent NVQ qualification and experience in school meals provision.
- Experience in supervising and deploying kitchen assistants.
Benefits
- CPD opportunities and training and development programmes.
- Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Access to health and wellbeing support.
- Private Healthcare Cash Back Plan including 24/7 access to a GP by phone, gym discounts, cashback for optical, dental and other appointment expenses.
- Access to staff benefits and discounts portal through Dorset Council.
Ferndown Upper School operates an in‑house catering service for over 1,000 students with provision at breakfast, mid‑morning break and lunchtime.
Catering Manager in Ferndown employer: Ferndown Upper School
Ferndown Upper School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for the Catering Manager role. With a strong focus on professional development through CPD opportunities and training programmes, employees are encouraged to grow and excel in their careers. The school also provides access to comprehensive health and wellbeing support, including a Private Healthcare Cash Back Plan, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about delivering outstanding service to students and staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager in Ferndown
✨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 previous work in catering. Include photos of dishes you've prepared, menus you've designed, or events you've managed. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its catering needs. Think about how your experience aligns with their requirements and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams and maintained high standards in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application and keep track of your progress. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and ready to take on the challenge of being a Catering Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager in Ferndown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:As a Catering Manager, we want to see your natural leadership shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've motivated teams in the past and how you ensure high standards in service.
Highlight Your Experience:Make sure to detail your experience in busy catering environments. We’re looking for someone who’s confident in running a kitchen, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant qualifications and past roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot at a glance.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ferndown Upper School
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for school meals and be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance in your role.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a busy kitchen environment. Think about times when you motivated your team or handled conflicts, as this will demonstrate your natural leadership abilities.
✨Be Customer-Focused
Since the role involves providing exceptional service to students and staff, think of ways you can enhance customer experience. Be ready to share ideas on how to maintain high standards of cleanliness and food presentation.
✨Budgeting Know-How
Brush up on your budgeting skills! Be prepared to discuss how you've managed costs in previous roles and how you would monitor stock levels and minimise wastage in this position.
