At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee food operations and manage a vibrant kitchen team at St Nicholas Infant School.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a company that values your contributions and supports your growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and access to mental health resources.
- Other info: Term-time only role with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale cooking and staff supervision is essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.5 - 13.5 £ per hour.
As Cook Manager for Sodexo at St Nicholas Infant School, London Road, Rochester, ME2 3HU, you will oversee all aspects of the food and beverage operations as well as the finances for your school's kitchen. You will be responsible for ensuring that the food and level of service are of the highest calibre and that the school catering is among the best in the region. Your attitude will influence your team's daily lives as the person they go to for direction and support, which will in turn foster a vibrant and productive work environment. As well as this, you will not work unsociable hours and you will get public holidays off including Christmas!
What you do:
- Manage the replenishment of food and the dismantling of work areas at the end of service.
- Develop, mentor, conduct training, and inspire the kitchen team.
- Control the complete catering operation, including labour, food, and stock expenses.
- Manage and optimise all costs that are under your control.
- Ensure uniformity in the food and service standards provided to fellow staff members, visitors and students.
- Manage the creation and development of menus.
- Conduct routine audits to ensure standards are being followed.
What you bring:
- Must have expertise on cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 - 1300 students.
- Have experience following recipes, possibly in a similar setting.
- Have previous staff supervision experience or line management experience.
- Have experience working with fresh produce and ingredients.
- Be aware of the importance of adhering to health and safety procedures.
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines in a busy kitchen environment.
- Be professional, leading by example and having a positive outlook is key.
- Hold basic food handling skills certification: NVQ Level 2, Level 2 Food Safety Certificate.
- A minimum of 1 year of experience in hands-on cooking, training on Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety will be given.
What we offer:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work-related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
- A death in service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
- Volunteering opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
- Flexible and dynamic work environment.
- Competitive compensation.
- Full training and full protective uniform supplied.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and/or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland).
Package Description: 13.50 per hour, 27.5 hours per week, Working pattern: Monday to Friday 8am to 1:30pm, Term Time only (39 week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks). Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.
Locations
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager - Rochester
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Sodexo and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager - Rochester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Sodexo that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Sodexo.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Sodexo get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Sodexo and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
