At a Glance
- 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, all school holidays off, and free meals on shift.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and career progression available.
- 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 25000 - 25000 £ 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 involves leading 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.
Responsibilities:- 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.
Qualifications:- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Skilled 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
- 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
- Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- Monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers
You’ll also have the chance to help children explore healthy eating and build positive food habits that last a lifetime.
If this sounds like the right role for you, we’d love to hear from you!
Recruitment Process: Interview, trade test and kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunities: 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 it within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.
Lead a Fresh School Kitchen Manager — Daytime, Term-Time in Godalming employer: Impact Food Group
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding opportunity for those passionate about food and education. With a strong focus on work-life balance, employees enjoy daytime hours, all school holidays off, and a supportive work culture that fosters personal and professional growth through training and development opportunities. Join us in making a positive impact on students' lives by delivering nutritious meals in a friendly and dynamic kitchen environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead a Fresh School Kitchen Manager — Daytime, Term-Time in Godalming
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their mission. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about making school food great.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of times when you’ve motivated a team or solved a problem in the kitchen. We want to hear those real-life examples that showcase your skills and passion for food.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for a trade test! Brush up on your cooking skills and be prepared to whip up something delicious. Show us your flair for fresh, seasonal meals and how you can lead a kitchen team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! This is your chance to find out more about the role and the team. Show us you’re interested in not just the job, but also in how you can contribute to the school’s food culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead a Fresh School Kitchen Manager — Daytime, Term-Time in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh ingredients shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about delivering quality meals to students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to emphasise your experience in managing a kitchen team. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and develop their team, so share examples of how you've successfully led others in the past.
Be Organised and Clear:Your written application should be well-structured and easy to read. Use clear language and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
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 ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about seasonal ingredients and how they can be incorporated into school meals. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menus that are not only nutritious but also appealing to students.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your strong people management skills.
✨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, as this is crucial for the role and shows your proactive approach to maintaining high standards.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the kitchen and how you can contribute. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your willingness to collaborate.
