Temporary Catering Manager

Job Description Catering Manager – School Meals – DBS Required

£12.65 per hour plus holiday pay. Term‑time only mixed shifts between 9am till 3pm.

Flexible working days. Immediate start. 33 days annual leave.

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Catering Manager to lead and manage junior, primary and secondary school catering units. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong catering and leadership skills to ensure the delivery of high‑quality, nutritious meals in a school environment, while supporting a small team of catering staff.

This role offers a daytime schedule with opportunities for development and the chance to make a positive impact on healthy eating in schools.

• An experienced catering professional with practical cookery skills, confident in preparing, cooking, and presenting a wide range of meals, including special dietary options.
• Knowledge of large‑scale catering, food safety legislation, and school nutrition standards.
• Strong financial awareness and experience managing budgets, stock, and audit systems.
• A capable team leader with experience in staff supervision, development, and performance management.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and time‑management skills to manage both your workload and that of your team.
• Ability to promote healthy eating initiatives and school meal uptake within the school.
• Physically fit and able to carry out kitchen duties, including lifting, standing for extended periods, and general catering tasks.
• Level 2 NVQ or City & Guilds in Catering (or equivalent), Food Safety Level 2 or above, Health & Safety training. Nutrition qualification Level 2 desirable (willingness to work towards acceptable).
• A clear Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one).

• Ensure all food preparation, storage, handling, and service comply with School Meals policies and government standards.
• Prepare, cook, and present a wide variety of meals to meet quality, cost, and safety standards.
• Manage unit finances, including stock control, ordering, labour, and other expenditure areas.
• Lead, supervise, and develop unit staff, conducting PDRs and on‑the‑job training.
• Promote the service at school events and support healthy eating initiatives.
• Maintain strong working relationships with management, staff, school clients, and customers.
• Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety and food hygiene regulations.

• £12.65 per hour (plus holiday pay).
• Daytime shifts only – ideal for work–life balance.
• Term‑time working pattern.
• Ongoing work within a supportive school environment.
• Opportunity to gain further training and development.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.

• Hourly paid
• Flexible working hours
• Weekly pay
• Pension contribution
• Health & medical advice, services & support

In accordance and compliance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, all applicants applying for the above position will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility to live and work in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to accept applications from anyone not currently living in the U.K.