Food Cost and Compliance Lead

Meets national minimum wage, Competitive

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full time

Disability Confident:

No

Closing Date:

03/11/2026

Join Our Team as a Food Cost and Compliance Lead in the Schools segment of Sodexo

• Make an Impact Every Day
  
  Location:
  
  Salford, M50 2UE
  Days/Shift Pattern:
  
  Monday
• Friday, Hybrid working Total Hours Per Week:40 Hours Salary:
  Competitive, with excellent benefits At Sodexo, we believe in delivering outstanding service, fostering meaningful experiences, and empowering our teams to thrive.
  
  We’re on the lookout for a passionate and motivated Food Cost and Compliance Lead tobecome an integral part of our dynamic team.

If you’re ready to drive excellence and innovation, this is the opportunity for you!

Purpose of the job:
To maintain food cost, menu and supplier compliance across the Schools estate by coordinating, validating and monitoring ordering activity.

The Food Cost and Compliance Lead provides a central control point between schools, suppliers, Finance and Food Platform teams, helping schools order the right products, in the right quantities, within agreed budgets and supplier deadlines.

The role combines day-to-day ordering control with data analysis, exception management and process improvement to reduce avoidable overspend, support margin performance and maintain reliable food service delivery.

It identifies and challenges non-compliance, coordinates corrective action and provides clear insight into ordering performance and opportunities for savings.

Scope:
Up to 160 schools and associated suppliers, working across multiple ordering cycles, menus and delivery schedules.

Key interfaces:
School catering teams, operational leaders, suppliers, Finance and Food Platform teams.

Key measures:
Food cost compliance, ordering accuracy, exception rate, supplier compliance, realised savings, menu adherence and ordering service levels.

Experience in school catering or another dispersed catering operation, and experience improving or standardising administrative or ordering processes.

Experience and knowledge Experience in food service purchasing, ordering, catering administration, stock control or a comparable operational support role involving multiple locations and deadlines.

Understanding of food costing, recipes, product substitution, purchasing controls and the relationship between ordering decisions, waste and margin performance.

Knowledge of food service suppliers, ordering processes, cut-off times and distribution models, with an understanding of the importance of approved specifications and dietary or allergen controls.

Data and systems Ability to analyse ordering, compliance and supplier data, identify anomalies and translate findings into clear actions.

Strong Excel skills for checking, organising and analysing data, and the ability to produce clear reports.

Familiarity with Power BI, or the ability to learn it.

Ability to work with E-profit for inventory, Drive for planning and supplier portals for ordering.

Experience of these systems is desirable; the ability to learn and use them accurately is essential.

Planning and organisation Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple schools, ordering cycles, deadlines and competing demands.

Ability to prioritise urgent service issues while maintaining routine checks, accurate records and consistent follow-through.

Stakeholder management Clear written and verbal communication, with confidence working with schools, suppliers, Finance, operations and Food Platform teams.

Ability to challenge non-compliance constructively, explain requirements and secure action without relying on direct management authority.

Problem solving and judgement Ability to identify root causes, evaluate practical options and coordinate…