At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative menus and ensure high-quality food standards in schools.
- Company: Join Vertas, a leading provider of integrated facilities management across Great Britain.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage with students and promote food initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in school catering and inspire healthy eating habits.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, strong knowledge of food standards, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about food innovation, quality, and delivering exceptional catering services? Vertas is looking for a dedicated Food Development Officer to join our Catering Team.
Who are Vertas? Vertas delivers trusted, integrated facilities management solutions across Great Britain. Our team of 5,000 colleagues provides a comprehensive range of facilities services, including cleaning, catering, property design, recruitment, transport, and environmental management. You'll find us putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, while prioritising our colleagues' health, safety and wellbeing.
About the Role: Based in Rainworth - NG21 0HJ you will be working full time, 37 hours per week. You'll play a key role in supporting the delivery of a high quality, compliant and commercially effective food offer across Vertas catering operations, ensuring menus are innovative, nutritionally balanced and meet School Food Standards.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the development, implementation and continuous improvement of menus across catering operations
- Assisting with recipe and food development, ensuring meals are nutritionally balanced and cost effective
- Supporting allergen management and medical diet provision, ensuring compliance with legislation and accurate record keeping
- Maintaining digital food systems including recipes, allergen and nutritional platforms
- Liaising with procurement teams and suppliers to source quality, sustainable products
- Researching, trialling and evaluating new dishes and products
- Carrying out quality audits of food standards, service and presentation across sites
- Supporting catering teams with training, guidance and best practice
- Supporting pupil engagement activities such as tastings and menu initiatives
- Support the planning and delivery of innovative food initiatives and events, including pop-ups, themed catering, community engagement activities and promotional campaigns to enhance the food offer and drive uptake
Who are we looking for?
- Previous experience within catering or food services environments, schools experience desirable
- Strong knowledge of food standards, allergen legislation and school food requirements
- Experience of menu and recipe development with cost control awareness
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- Enhanced DBS check is required - if you do not currently hold one, you must be willing to obtain it
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage a range of stakeholders
- A team player providing an excellent service across the Vertas Group
- The ability to make the best decisions with Vertas in mind
- The ability to adapt and respond to change in a growing organisation
What You'll Bring:
- A passion for food quality, innovation and customer service
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Excel
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- The right to work in the UK
- You must be able to drive and travel between sites
Apply Today: If you're ready to bring your skills to a company that values people and places, apply now and start your journey with Vertas.
Food Development Officer: Innovative School Catering employer: Oaksec
Vertas is an exceptional employer that prioritises the health, safety, and wellbeing of its 5,000 colleagues while delivering innovative and high-quality catering services. Located in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages creativity and professional growth, offering opportunities to engage in exciting food initiatives and community activities. With a strong commitment to sustainability and compliance, Vertas provides a rewarding environment for those passionate about food innovation and exceptional service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Development Officer: Innovative School Catering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering industry, especially those who work at Vertas or similar companies. Attend food fairs, workshops, or local events where you can meet potential colleagues and learn about their experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food innovation! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your ideas for new dishes or menu improvements. This will demonstrate your creativity and commitment to quality.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Vertas and their catering operations. Understand their values and how they prioritise customer service and food quality. Tailor your answers to show how you align with their mission and can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to make a difference in school catering.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Development Officer: Innovative School Catering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and innovation shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for creating delicious and nutritious meals.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Food Development Officer role. Highlight your experience with menu development, allergen management, and any relevant school catering knowledge.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences at a glance. We appreciate clarity!
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 this exciting opportunity with Vertas!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oaksec
✨Know Your Food Standards
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food standards, allergen legislation, and school food requirements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the importance of compliance in catering.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to talk about your experience with menu and recipe development. Bring examples of innovative dishes you've created or ideas for new initiatives that could enhance the food offer. This is your chance to demonstrate your passion for food innovation!
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can effectively communicate with various stakeholders, from suppliers to catering teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, as strong communication skills are key for this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since you'll be managing multiple priorities, it's essential to showcase your organisational and time-management skills. Prepare to discuss how you handle competing tasks and ensure everything runs smoothly, especially in a busy catering environment.
