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- Tasks: Ensure top-notch food services across 160 schools and engage with students and parents.
- Company: Join ISS, a leading workplace management company that values people and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Exciting career growth, diverse work environment, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of the largest education catering contract in the UK and shape student experiences.
- Qualifications: Previous chef experience and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Food Portfolio Specialist to play a key role in the mobilisation and delivery of our prestigious new contract with West Sussex County Council. This is the largest catering contract in the UK within the Education sector, with a turnover of £14m, covering 160 sites across West Sussex. This is a high‑profile opportunity and a stepping stone into a growing Education portfolio.
Your primary focus will be to ensure that all food and services across our schools meet our brand standards and deliver exceptional experiences for pupils, parents, and stakeholders. You will audit operations, support improvements, and drive engagement through events and workshops. This role requires strong culinary expertise, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to delivering added value through parent evenings, tastings, and interactive sessions with students.
Key Responsibilities- Ensure all food and services within Education meet brand standards across 160 sites.
- Audit the business regularly, identifying and supporting areas for improvement.
- Drive events and initiatives that uphold our client offer and support retention and growth.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, parents, pupils, and stakeholders.
- Plan and deliver Food Education Event Days (minimum one per term across the region).
- Provide support for parent and pupil events such as evenings, tastings, assemblies, and councils.
- Collaborate with the Key Account Director (KAD) to implement new ideas that enhance satisfaction.
- Support menu feedback processes to help shape and improve offerings.
- Ensure compliance with all food development processes and procedures.
- Previous chef experience; ideal for a Chef Manager seeking a new challenge.
- Relevant chef/food qualifications and strong culinary background.
- Excellent people skills and communication abilities.
- Positive, proactive attitude with high energy and drive.
- Ability to work closely with internal teams and external partners (e.g., Apetito).
- Strong focus on achieving targeted results and delivering beyond expectations.
ISS is a world‑leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience. Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.
We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer. ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme. Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.
Food Portfolio Specialist in England employer: ISS Facilities Services
Contact Detail:
ISS Facilities Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Portfolio Specialist in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food and education sectors. Attend industry events or workshops where you can meet potential employers and showcase your culinary expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their brand standards and think of ways you can contribute to enhancing the dining experience for pupils and parents.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! When discussing past experiences, highlight any innovative events or initiatives you've led that improved client satisfaction or engagement. This will demonstrate your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Portfolio Specialist in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: Make sure to highlight your culinary expertise in your application. We want to see how your experience aligns with our brand standards and how you can bring exceptional food experiences to our schools.
Communicate Clearly: Your communication skills are key! Use your application to demonstrate how you’ve effectively engaged with clients, parents, and students in the past. We love a proactive approach, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application specifically for this role. Mention your relevant chef qualifications and any experience with food education events. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at ISS Facilities Services
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary knowledge and experience. Be ready to discuss your previous roles, especially any chef management experience, and how it relates to the food standards expected in schools.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
This role is all about building relationships, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients, parents, and students in the past. Highlight your communication skills and any events you've organised.
✨Be Proactive and Positive
Demonstrate your proactive attitude by discussing how you've identified areas for improvement in previous roles. Share specific instances where your high energy and drive led to positive outcomes.
✨Understand the Brand Standards
Familiarise yourself with the brand standards of the company and be ready to explain how you would ensure compliance across multiple sites. Show that you understand the importance of maintaining quality and consistency in food services.
