Deputy School Catering Manager - Lead Menus & Team

Deputy School Catering Manager - Lead Menus & Team

Full-Time 24000 - 28000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
St Andrew's Catholic Primary School

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious, healthy meals for students and staff.
  • Company: Join Arden Multi Academy Trust, dedicated to excellent education and community.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a Local Government Pension, Cycle to Work scheme, and free uniform.
  • Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives through nutritious food and teamwork.
  • Qualifications: Level 2 Food Hygiene required; experience in high-volume catering preferred.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.

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About this Role

Hours of work: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 2:15pm, including 30 minutes unpaid lunch break - 26.25 hours per week. Applicants need to have the flexibility to open up at 6:30am if necessary (e.g. to cover absence of Catering Manager).

AMAT Catering Services is part of Arden Multi Academy Trust, a group of schools providing excellent education to children and young people within Solihull and the local area. Our Catering teams are proud of delivering delicious, healthy school meals using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients to pupils within all our schools.

We are pleased to be able to offer the role of Deputy Catering Manager to support the Catering Manager at Arden Academy, with managing a team of catering assistants and overseeing the preparation and serving of meals, refreshments and other catering services for 1800 pupils and 200 staff.

Main purpose of the role

  • To deputise for the Catering Manager
  • Be responsible for monitoring the quality of the food and service and for making sure that the school canteen is performing as required by the Area Catering Manager.
  • Be responsible for the line management of the Catering Assistants within the team.
  • Achieve good quality and variety of food options within budget and time constraints.
  • Be responsible for ensuring that all members of the catering team are aware of their Food Safety and Health & Safety responsibilities and be the contact point for Food Safety and Health & Safety issues.

The key responsibilities are to support the Catering Manager with the following responsibilities:

  • Food preparation
  • Planning menus
  • Ordering supplies
  • Training, supervising and motivating staff
  • Organising staff rotas
  • Monitoring the quality of the product and service provided

Training will be provided to support the Catering Manager with the following area keeping administrative records, managing and recording sickness absence, ensuring health and safety regulations are strictly observed, recorded and archived.

Key Skills required

  • Strong organisational and time management skills and the ability to manage and lead a diverse team
  • A strong focus on customer service with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to work flexibly and operate under strict time constraints
  • Stock-taking skills
  • Knowledge of food, food hygiene (including hazard analysis) and food preparation.

Qualifications required

  • Level 2 Food and Hygiene (essential)
  • Level 3 Food Hygiene & Safety in Catering (desirable)
  • Health and Safety training (essential)
  • Previous experience working in a school kitchen or similar high volume catering environment (essential)

In return we can offer you:

  • An excellent Local Government Pension scheme
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Free Uniform
  • Access to high quality continuing professional development

CVs cannot be accepted as part of our Safer Recruitment guidelines. Arden Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or religion. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, will be subject to a social media online search.

Deputy School Catering Manager - Lead Menus & Team employer: St Andrew's Catholic Primary School

Arden Multi Academy Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through nutritious school meals. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide access to high-quality training and a Local Government Pension scheme, ensuring that our staff feel valued and empowered. Join us in Solihull, where our commitment to inclusivity and community well-being creates a rewarding workplace for all.

St Andrew's Catholic Primary School

Contact Details:

St Andrew's Catholic Primary School Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Deputy School Catering Manager - Lead Menus & Team

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry or local schools. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you get the chance, volunteer at local events or school functions. It’s a great way to demonstrate your culinary talents and leadership abilities while making valuable contacts.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s catering services. Know their menu and be ready to discuss how you can enhance it. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running!

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 proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Deputy School Catering Manager - Lead Menus & Team

Organisational Skills
Time Management
Leadership Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Customer Service
Food Hygiene Knowledge
Food Preparation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let us know why you're passionate about food and catering. Share any experiences that highlight your love for creating delicious meals and how you can bring that enthusiasm to our team.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves managing a team, make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about times you've motivated or trained others, and how you can lead our catering assistants to deliver top-notch service.

Be Specific About Your Experience:We want to see your relevant experience, so be specific! Mention any previous roles in school kitchens or high-volume catering environments, and detail your knowledge of food hygiene and safety practices.

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!

How to prepare for a job interview at St Andrew's Catholic Primary School

Know Your Menus

Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the types of menus that are typically served in school catering. Familiarise yourself with healthy options and how to cater to diverse dietary needs. This will show your passion for providing quality meals and your ability to innovate within the role.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Deputy School Catering Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or motivated a team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your leadership capabilities.

Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge

Make sure you're up to speed on food hygiene regulations and safety practices. Be ready to discuss your qualifications, like Level 2 Food and Hygiene, and any relevant experiences. This will highlight your commitment to maintaining high standards in the kitchen.

Prepare Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the school's catering philosophy, team dynamics, and how they measure success in their catering services. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.