Catering Manager

Catering Manager The Wordsley School, Stour Vale Academy Trust Grade: SVT 7 | 37 hours per week | Term Time Only Salary: Support staff pay scale grade 7 point 18 (£26,761) to point 23 (£29,220). Join us and help shape a positive, healthy dining experience for our school community. A unique opportunity to make a difference in a dynamic and forward-thinking school, which prides itself on its culture and ethos. Are you a passionate and experienced catering professional ready to lead a busy school kitchen? The Wordsley School is seeking an enthusiastic and organised Catering Manager to oversee our catering provision and deliver a high-quality dining experience for our pupils, staff and visitors. About the Role As Catering Manager, you will take full operational responsibility for the school’s catering service. You will lead, inspire and manage a team of catering staff to deliver nutritious, high-quality meals in a safe, clean and welcoming environment—aligned with our ethos of “excellence for all.” Key responsibilities include: Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen and dining service Planning, preparing and delivering appealing, healthy menus Leading and developing a team of catering staff Managing the catering budget, stock control and minimising waste Ensuring high standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen compliance Maintaining accurate records, including quality assurance and statutory documentation Creating a positive dining experience for pupils and staff You will also work closely with the School Business Manager and external catering partners to continuously improve the service and meet the needs of the school community. What We’re Looking For We are looking for a motivated and hands-on professional with: Proven experience managing a busy kitchen and delivering high-quality food within budget Strong leadership skills, with experience supervising and motivating teams Knowledge of food hygiene, allergen legislation (including Natasha’s Law), and health & safety standards Experience in menu planning and promoting healthy eating Excellent organisational and communication skills A commitment to high standards, attention to detail and customer care Relevant qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 in Catering (or equivalent) and Food Hygiene certification are essential. Why Join Us? Term-time working for a better work-life balance A supportive and inclusive school environment Opportunity to lead and shape a valued service within the school Ongoing training and professional development Safeguarding Statement Stour Vale Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will carry out pre-appointment checks including DBS and will disqualify any applicant where we consider the outcomes to be unsatisfactory. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 19