Sodexo is looking for an experienced Catering Manager to lead the catering operation at Ridgewood High School.

This is a hands-on management position responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including food production, team leadership, menu delivery, stock, budgets, food safety and the overall quality of service provided to pupils and staff.

Previous experience working in a school or education catering environment is essential. We are looking for an experienced catering professional who can confidently take ownership of a busy school kitchen and lead the team from day one.

This role is suited to someone looking for a long-term opportunity and who takes pride in delivering a consistent, high-quality catering service.

What you do:

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team.
• Plan and organise daily kitchen operations and staff duties.
• Prepare and cook high-quality food using fresh ingredients and standardised recipes.
• Manage high-volume food production and busy lunchtime services.
• Create and deliver appropriate school menus.
• Manage food ordering, deliveries, storage, stock rotation and stocktakes.
• Monitor food, labour and other operational costs and work within agreed budgets.
• Minimise food waste and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Manage allergen information and special dietary requirements.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, health and safety and safeguarding standards.
• Complete routine audits and compliance checks.
• Train and develop team members.
• Build a strong professional relationship with the school and respond positively to feedback.
• Monitor service standards and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure the kitchen operates in line with Sodexo and school policies and procedures.

What you bring:

• Must have expertise on cooking on a large scale, anywhere between 100 – 1300 students.
  • Previous school, academy, college or education catering experience.
  • Previous experience as a Cook Manager, Chef Manager, Catering Manager, Head Chef or similar senior catering position.
  • Minimum 2 years' professional catering experience, including hands-on cooking.
  • Experience supervising or managing a catering team.
  • Experience cooking at volume and managing busy service periods.
  • Experience with fresh ingredients, recipes, menu planning and food preparation.
  • Experience with stock control, ordering and cost management.
  • Good knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and allergens.
  • Strong organisation, communication and time-management skills.
  • Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
  • Professional, reliable and positive approach to work.
  • Willingness to be hands-on and lead by example.

The Person

You will be a confident catering professional who can manage people while remaining hands-on in the kitchen.

You should be comfortable taking responsibility for food quality, service standards, staffing, stock and costs, while maintaining a positive relationship with the school.

Most importantly, you should understand that school catering requires a different approach to restaurant or hotel catering, including working to short service periods, managing pupil requirements, maintaining allergen controls and working closely with school staff.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Please only apply if you have previous school or education catering experience.

This is an experienced Cook Manager position and requires someone who can take responsibility for a busy school kitchen, lead a team and maintain high standards from the outset.

If you have the relevant experience and are looking for a long-term school catering management opportunity, we would like to hear from you.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

**Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)**

*Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of application

“For a job that’s a perfect mix of passion, perks and potential”

• £16.00  per hour
• 35 hours per week
• Working pattern: Monday - Friday (7am - 3pm)
• Term Time only (39 week Working Contract paid over 52 weeks)**

**Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.**

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.