Cook Manager

About The Role

Contract Type:
Permanent

Working Hours:

Full Time, 30 hours per week
Number of Positions: 1
Qualifications

Required:

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking and Food hygiene certificate

Start Date:

25th March 2026
Salary: £25,185 - £25,989 per annum

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Cook Manager to join our fantastic team at our new Orchard House SEN High School.

This is a Grade 3, permanent post working 30 hours per week 8am-2.30pm, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £18,567 and the full time equivalent is £25,185.

Reporting to the School Operations Manager and the Trust Catering Managers, you will be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient day-to-day operation of the school catering service.

You will work closely with catering staff and lunchtime organisers to ensure a high-quality, customer-focused service for students and staff.

• Manage a quality, cost-effective catering service in line with service level agreements (SLAs), contracts and legislative requirements
• Deliver pre-planned menus that meet nutritional, legislative and client requirements
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health & safety and COSHH regulations
• Supervise and line-manage catering staff, including training, attendance management and payroll returns
• Carry out efficient financial administration in line with Prospere Trust financial regulations, including cash reconciliation
• Provide a courteous, responsive and customer-focused service
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the team and service delivery
• Contribute to service improvements and new initiatives
• Actively engage in personal development and training opportunities
• Comply with safeguarding, child protection, confidentiality and data protection requirements at all times

We are looking for a suitable qualified Cook Supervisor/Cook Manager who:

• Holds, or is working towards, NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking (or equivalent)
• Has operational experience within a catering environment where high standards are essential
• Has experience managing or supervising staff
• Is organised, reliable and confident managing both people and processes
• Can communicate clearly and confidently in spoken English
• Understands the importance of safeguarding and working within a school setting

To apply for this job role, please use the application link provided in the advertisement.

Interviews will take place week commencing 23rd February.

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, younger learners and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. The above post will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. DBS Code of Practice can be viewed here.

This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable. We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.