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- Tasks: Lead the school's catering service, creating nutritious meals and managing kitchen operations.
- Company: Hoe Valley School, a vibrant community-focused secondary school in Woking.
- Benefits: Longer holidays, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to student well-being and success.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through healthy, delicious meals.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management and a passion for food safety.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Hoe Valley School is an oversubscribed secondary school that opened in September 2015 to serve the local community of South Woking. The school is committed to ensuring our students leave us with excellent academic outcomes, the skills to be 'work-ready', and the traits of excellent global citizens. Following the National Curriculum, Maths and English are taught every day. We are a Google School with ICT fully embedded in all curriculum areas, committed to learning which is relevant with links to the 'real world' of business, higher education, and the local community. The state-of-the-art new school was completed in September 2018 on Egley Road, Woking. We are dedicated to supporting our staff to have a good work/life balance by offering longer school holidays, bespoke CPD programmes, minimising paperwork and meetings, and ultimately by trusting our staff to deliver excellent outcomes.
The Role
To lead and manage the school's catering service, delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that meet school food standards while ensuring efficient kitchen operations, food safety compliance, and excellent service for students and staff.
Role Information
- Contract: Permanent. This role can be offered as full time or term time plus 2 weeks.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, hours as needed to fulfil role, nominally 6:45am to 2:45pm (occasional events may require flexibility).
- Start date: June 2026.
- Responsible to: Operations Manager and ultimately the Head Teacher.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Kitchen & Food Production
- Plan, prepare, and deliver a varied, balanced menu in line with school food standards and nutritional guidelines.
- Oversee daily food production, ensuring quality, consistency, and portion control.
- Introduce new menu ideas that appeal to secondary school students.
- Cater for special dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural preferences.
- Leadership & Staff Management
- Manage, train, and supervise kitchen, catering, and front of house staff.
- Organise staff rotas and ensure adequate cover during absences.
- Promote a positive, professional, and collaborative working environment.
- Conduct performance reviews and support staff development.
- Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with food hygiene regulations (e.g. HACCP).
- Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen environment.
- Organise cleaning schedule including deep cleans.
- Keep accurate records of temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and food storage.
- Ensure compliance with health & safety policies and risk assessments.
- Budget & Stock Control
- Manage catering budgets effectively, ensuring cost control and minimal waste.
- Order food supplies and manage relationships with suppliers.
- Monitor stock levels and conduct regular inventory checks.
- Maximise value while maintaining quality standards.
- Customer Service & Engagement
- Ensure a positive dining experience for students and staff.
- Engage with students to gather feedback and improve menu offerings.
- Support initiatives to promote healthy eating within the school.
- Administration & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of meals served, stock usage, and financial performance.
- Support compliance with school policies and inspections.
The above list is not exhaustive and may be subject to amendment in due course in discussion with the relevant employee.
Application deadline: 15th May
Interviews: week commencing 18th May
The school reserves the right to close this vacancy early and/or amend advertised dates as required to secure the right appointment.
Safeguarding Statement: The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful appointments are subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Chef Manager in Woking employer: Hoe Valley School
Contact Detail:
Hoe Valley School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Hoe Valley School's values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider info about the school culture and what they look for in a Chef Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how you can contribute to the school's commitment to healthy eating. Have some creative menu ideas ready that cater to students' tastes and dietary needs!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let us see your love for cooking and creating delicious meals. Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and how you can bring exciting menu ideas to our students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We want to know about your experience in managing a team. Talk about how you've trained and supported staff in the past, and how you can create a positive working environment in our kitchen.
Be Detail-Oriented: Make sure to mention your knowledge of food safety regulations and how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. We appreciate candidates who pay attention to detail and maintain high standards.
Engage with Our Community: Show us how you plan to connect with students and gather their feedback on meals. We value a chef manager who promotes healthy eating and engages with the school community, so share your ideas!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoe Valley School
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with current school food standards and nutritional guidelines. Prepare to discuss how you would create a varied and balanced menu that appeals to secondary school students, including options for special dietary requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience in managing and training kitchen staff. Think of examples where you’ve promoted a positive working environment or conducted performance reviews. This role is all about teamwork, so highlight your collaborative approach.
✨Demonstrate Food Safety Knowledge
Brush up on food hygiene regulations like HACCP. Be prepared to explain how you would maintain compliance and ensure a clean, safe kitchen environment. Mention any systems you’ve implemented in the past to keep track of food safety records.
✨Engage with the Students
Since this role involves ensuring a positive dining experience, think about how you would gather feedback from students. Discuss any initiatives you’ve led to promote healthy eating and how you would adapt the menu based on student preferences.