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- 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 no evenings or weekends, plus 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 is based at Rushall Primary School & Oakwood School, Pelsall Lane, WS4. 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. The ideal candidate will have:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Skills 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
- A 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. Additionally, there are opportunities for training, development, and career progression, access to free qualifications, a staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers, and monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers.
If this sounds like the right role for you, we'd love to hear from you! Please note: An interview, trade test & kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process. IFG are 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.
Cook Manager in Burntwood employer: Impact Food Group
Contact Detail:
Impact Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager in Burntwood
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission of providing great food for students.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is hands-on, be ready to showcase your culinary talents during the trade test. Prepare a few seasonal dishes that highlight your creativity and understanding of fresh ingredients.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to discuss how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve handled challenges in a kitchen environment to demonstrate your management skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, ask about the team dynamics or how they incorporate feedback from students. This shows you’re interested in more than just the job—you want to be part of their community.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager in Burntwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for preparing fresh, seasonal meals and how you can inspire students to enjoy healthy eating.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, and how you plan to do the same with us at Impact Food Group.
Be Organised and Clear: Keep your application neat and structured. Use clear headings and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience. A well-organised application reflects your organisational skills, which are key for this role!
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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Impact Food Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the types of fresh, seasonal meals that Impact Food Group serves. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menu planning and how you can contribute to their mission of providing nutritious meals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Cook Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully motivated and developed your team. Highlight your hands-on management style and how it has positively impacted kitchen operations.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen and share any specific practices you’ve implemented to maintain high standards.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their current challenges in the kitchen or how they envision the role evolving. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you build rapport.