CATERING MANAGER

Actual salary: £30,043 – £34,332 based on 37 hours per week, term-time only (37 weeks pa), plus 75 additional hours to be worked flexibly across the academic year.

Support staff scale 5, points 23 – 28 inclusive, £34,206 – £39,089 Full Time Equivalent.

*Pay award pending.

To start 27 August 2025.

We are looking for a Catering Manager to join a strong and supportive team who take pride in the service they offer to our students and staff. The Catering Manager will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the catering service within the Rutland and District Schools’ Federation which consists of Catmose College, Harington School and Catmose Primary, all located within one mile of each other.

Typical working hours are Monday – Friday 7.30am to 3.30pm, however the actual working pattern is negotiable and can be discussed at interview. We are also looking to offer one week’s handover in the summer term with the current postholder.

The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of our catering service, which include leading the catering team to ensure that our food is delicious, within a balanced budget and the kitchen is compliant with health and safety policies and procedures.

Flexibility, a sense of humour, and the ability to communicate effectively are essential characteristics for this role.

Staff are able to enjoy many additional benefits that come as part of working within the Federation. These include, amongst others:

A commitment to continued professional development.
Priority admission for children of staff to the College and Primary.
Outstanding facilities.
A broad range of opportunities to engage in extracurricular trips and activities.
Highly rated average final salary Government Pension Scheme.
A subsidised restaurant, refectory and orangery.
Complimentary lunch on staff training days.
Cycleshare scheme salary sacrifice for bike purchases.
Free parking.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates looking for a variety of flexible working arrangements.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Emma Dilks who is the Finance Director and line manages catering, she may be contacted via email: edilks@catmosecollege.com

JOB PURPOSE

To lead the catering team to ensure that the food prepared is of the highest standard and the catering operation has a balanced budget.

DUTIES

Duties may be modified by the Executive Principal, in consultation with the staff member, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title.

MANAGEMENT OF CATERING

To plan, organise and control the catering operations and manage the catering team to ensure that the food quality, presentation and service are provided to a high standard.
To be the lead chef when catering for lunch service, important and special events.
To be responsible for ensuring that all Federation policies and legislative requirements connected with catering are implemented to a high standard.
To respond flexibly to the changing needs of clients of the Federation so that a catering service is available when it is needed.
To lead on the development of catering services across the Federation as agreed with the Trust through the transformation plan.
To manage the catering budget so that staff have access to the raw materials and resources they need to carry out their work to a high standard whilst maintaining a break even position.
To manage stock levels within catering in order to minimise wastage and ensure best value for the Federation.
To order additional stock from suppliers offering the best value as required.
To plan menus and order all foods in accordance with the Federation’s policy and procedures, and lead the chef’s development of high-quality menus that are attractive to the Federation’s clients whilst meeting high nutritional standards.
To periodically deliver special or theme day menus in collaboration with Federation staff.
To ensure staff are trained in the preparation of food to a high standard.
To ensure staff are trained in serving food, portion control and client service skills to a high standard.
To ensure that catering equipment is maintained to a high standard and to recommend replacement when necessary.
To engage and liaise with contractors engaged in supporting the catering service to ensure that the work they carry out is of a high standard and represent good value for money.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To have a good knowledge of health and safety at work and food hygiene legislation and ensure it is applied it within the Federation’s catering service.
To ensure that the catering services are compliant with all food hygiene legislation and Federation policy.
To ensure that the catering service are compliant with the Federation’s policies for health and safety.
Ensure that site staff are made aware and understand their food hygiene responsibilities.
To ensure staff have received appropriate training before using any catering equipment.
Ensure that the essential annual maintenance checks by external contractors are in place and carried out.
To maintain records as legislation dictates, for example, records of fridges, freezers, display cabinets, food allergy notices, as appropriate.
All staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies and procedures are enforced in line with Federation policy and current legislation.

FEDERATION

To familiarise yourself and comply with the Federation rules, policies and procedures in force including those contained in the Staff Handbook.
Support the vision and ethos of the Federation.
Uphold routines for learning and uniform.
Contribute to monitoring and evaluating the success of the Federation.
To proactively respond to issues identified in the Transformation Plan to bring about sustained improvement.
Contribute to the range of extracurricular opportunities on offer to students.
Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Executive Principal.

SAFEGUARDING, HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in our care and expects all staff to share this commitment. We provide safeguarding training to all staff on an annual basis, and all staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies are implemented in line with Federation policy and current legislation. Please familiarise yourself with our Safeguarding Policy, available online at www.rutlandfederation.com/policies.

This position advertised is a ‘regulated position’ which means it will involve regular contact with children and young people; under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. This position is also ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies and procedures are enforced in line with Federation policy and current legislation.

This job description sets out the main duties associated with the stated purpose of the post. It is assumed that other duties of a similar nature undertaken within the role are not excluded because they are not itemised.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

	Essential	Desirable	Evidence
COMMITMENT	A clear recognition of and commitment to all our aims as a high performing Federation.		Letter of application Interview
QUALIFICATIONS	A valid Food Hygiene Qualification or be willing to train for one.	A good basic level of education having at least 5 GCSEs at A*-C (or 9-4) including English and mathematics. Food hygiene qualification. Evidence of an interest in continued training.	Application form
EXPERIENCE	Evidence of successfully working as part of a team. Previous experience of staff supervision and management. 5 years-experience of working in a commercial kitchen environment. Compiling menus, ordering provisions, calculation of food costs and general administrative duties.	Previous experience in preparation, cooking and serving of food within a large catering operation. Able to manage the catering provision within a balanced budget. Able to implement Health & Safety hygiene procedures within the kitchen.	Interviews References Letter of application
STAFF DEVELOPMENT	An understanding of the importance of training. A proven desire to improve, with recent evidence of certified professional development.	Evidence of further training and / or qualifications.	College forms Letter of application Interviews
RELATIONSHIPS	A willingness to work with our students. Good listening skills, the ability to communicate effectively and to work as part of a team with staff, College members, parents and members of the local community.	Ability to deliver high-quality service whilst under pressure	References Interviews Letter of application

HOW TO APPLY

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM HERE

Application forms and information are available online at www.rutlandfederation.com or by emailing office@rutlandfederation.com

You should write a letter of application on no more than 2 sides of A4.
You should complete all sections of the application form.
On the form clearly state the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of two professional referees; it is our usual practice to ask for references before shortlisting and always to ask for references before interviews.
It is a condition of employment that you can provide proof of identity and qualifications gained.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Further information is within our Staff Recruitment Policy which can be found online at rutlandfederation.com/policies

Please note that due to the high number of applications we receive for positions, your application is unlikely to be considered if you do not follow these requirements. CVs are not accepted. You should send your application to Stuart Williams, Executive Principal, Catmose College, Huntsmans Drive, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RP by 9am on Monday 2 June 2025. Applications can also be emailed to office@rutlandfederation.com