Catering Manager

Catering Manager

Full Time, Permanent to start Monday 4th January 2027

Grade 9 actual salary £29,800 - £31,148 (FTE £33,129 - £35,493)

40 weeks per year - term time plus 2 weeks (74 hours) to be worked across the year

Location: The Cedars Academy (with travel across Trust sites as required)

Lead, Develop and Inspire Our Catering Service

Lionheart Educational Trust is seeking an experienced, ambitious and customer-focused Catering Manager to lead our catering operation and play a key role in delivering an outstanding food service for students, staff and visitors.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented catering professional who is passionate about food, people and service excellence. Working closely with the Trust Head of Catering, you will lead a dedicated team, oversee a busy catering operation and help shape the future of catering provision across our schools.

We are looking for someone who can combine strong operational management with strategic thinking, ensuring our catering services remain safe, innovative, financially sustainable and centred around the needs of our students.

About the Role

As Catering Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all catering activities, including food production, service delivery, food safety compliance, budget management and staff leadership.

You will take ownership of the overall operation, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, customer service, hygiene and health and safety are maintained at all times. You will also work collaboratively with colleagues across the Trust to promote healthy and sustainable food choices whilst identifying opportunities to develop and grow the service.

The role includes acting as the key contact for outsourced catering contracts within Lionheart primary schools and supporting the Trust's wider catering strategy.

What You Will Be Responsible For

• Leading and managing all aspects of food production and service delivery.

• Inspiring, motivating and developing a large catering team.

• Managing catering budgets, income generation and financial performance.

• Planning, monitoring and reviewing menus to ensure they are attractive, nutritious and aligned with current trends.

• Maintaining compliance with food safety legislation, allergen management requirements, HACCP procedures and health and safety regulations.

• Undertaking kitchen inspections and ensuring excellent standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

• Managing stock control, ordering processes and supplier relationships.

• Supporting training, induction, performance management and staff development.

• Identifying opportunities to improve services, drive efficiencies and increase catering income.

• Building positive relationships with students, staff, stakeholders and external partners.

• Promoting healthy eating and sustainable catering practices across the Trust.

About You

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Holds a recognised catering qualification relevant to the role.

• Has substantial experience in a senior catering management position.

• Has a strong understanding of food safety legislation, allergens, labelling requirements and best practice.

• Has experience of successfully leading and managing large teams.

• Demonstrates excellent financial and budget management skills.

• Is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and putting students at the heart of decision-making.

• Has excellent communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills.

• Can work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

• Is proactive, solution-focused and committed to continuous improvement.

• Has experience of staff supervision, performance management and training.

• Is able to travel between sites when required.

Experience of working within an educational setting and with young people would be advantageous.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a significant impact across a successful and growing multi-academy trust.

• A supportive and collaborative leadership team.

• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.

• A commitment to staff wellbeing and work-life balance.

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

• A rewarding role helping to provide high-quality catering services that support student wellbeing and success.

Safeguarding

Lionheart Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an online check for shortlisted candidates and an enhanced DBS check for the successful candidate. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced catering professional with the vision, leadership skills and enthusiasm to drive excellence across our catering services, we would love to hear from you.

Interview Date: TBC

We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of applicants.

The Trust strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where all staff have a seat at the table: a seat to be free, a seat to inspire, a seat to challenge and a seat to succeed. 

We currently have staff networks for staff who are Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer + (LGBTQ+), staff who would describe their background as working class and staff with a disability. 

Please note, CVs WILL NOT be accepted.