At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create fresh, seasonal meals for students every day.
- Company: Join Impact Food Group, a top school food provider in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, uniform, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Great career progression and monthly incentives available.
- Why this job: Make a difference by promoting healthy eating habits in children.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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.
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
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
What’s in it for you
- 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
About IFG
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.
Safeguarding
IFG is 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.
School Kitchen Manager — Lead Fresh Menus, Daytime Hours employer: Impact Food Group
At Impact Food Group, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where you can truly make a difference in students' lives. With daytime hours, no evenings or weekends, and all school holidays off, our team enjoys a healthy work-life balance while benefiting from extensive training and career progression opportunities. Join us to lead a passionate kitchen team, create fresh, seasonal meals, and inspire children to develop positive food habits for life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Kitchen Manager — Lead Fresh Menus, Daytime Hours
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the catering and education sectors. You never know who might have a lead on a School Kitchen Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, prepare a sample menu or even a dish that highlights your ability to create fresh, seasonal meals. This hands-on approach can really impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to schools or catering companies you’re interested in. Express your passion for leading a kitchen team and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles like School Kitchen Manager. Plus, you’ll be in the loop for any updates or new opportunities that pop up.
We think you need these skills to ace School Kitchen Manager — Lead Fresh Menus, Daytime Hours
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fresh Food:When you're writing your application, let us know how much you love preparing fresh, seasonal meals. Share any experiences you've had in kitchens, especially in schools or high-volume settings, to show that you understand the importance of quality food for students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you lead and motivate a team! In your application, mention specific examples of how you've developed your team in the past. This could be through training, mentoring, or simply creating a positive work environment.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:Since you'll be managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen, it's crucial to demonstrate your organisational skills. Talk about how you plan menus, manage stock, and ensure compliance with food hygiene standards in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows that you're keen on joining our team at IFG!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and popular dishes that resonate with students. Be ready to discuss how you would create engaging menus that promote healthy eating while being appealing to kids.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate staff, resolve conflicts, and maintain high standards in a busy environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to school kitchens. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance and maintain a safe working environment for your team.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would liaise with onsite clients and stakeholders. Prepare to share your approach to building relationships and ensuring smooth communication between the kitchen and the school community.
