Catering Team Leader

Be part of something greater.
  • Job reference: SDX/TP/1169817/163661
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Job type: Full Time - 35 hours per week
  • Salary: £13.80 per hour plus Sodexo benefits
  • Closing date: 21 November 2026
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About the role

Catering Team Leader – Edinburgh Academy Senior School

Edinburgh Academy Senior School, 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5BL

Pay: £13.80 per hour
Hours: 35 hours per week
Working pattern: Monday - Friday, 7.30am - 3.00pm
Contract: 38-week contract (This operates on equated pay - you're paid over 52 weeks of the year)
Additional Information: Evening and weekend work will be required depending on business needs, including support for functions and school-holiday events. (These are scheduled to your rota in advance)

Take the next step in your catering career

Are you an experienced catering or hospitality professional ready to take on more responsibility while still being part of the day-to-day service?

Join Sodexo at Edinburgh Academy Senior School as a Catering Team Leader and play an important part in delivering a high-quality catering and hospitality experience within a prestigious school environment.

Working primarily Monday - Friday, 7.30am - 3.00pm, you’ll support the leadership of a busy catering operation covering front of house, kitchen service, breakfast and events. You’ll work closely with the Supervisor, Head Chef and wider management team, helping colleagues perform at their best while ensuring students, visitors and clients receive a consistently friendly and professional service.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with catering or hospitality experience who is ready to develop their leadership skills, take greater ownership and progress their career with Sodexo.

What you’ll do

As Catering Team Leader, you’ll combine hands-on service with day-to-day team leadership, helping to keep the operation running smoothly.

You’ll:

  • Support the Management Team, Head Chef and Supervisor with the effective day-to-day running of the catering operation.
  • Help lead, support and motivate colleagues, providing direction during busy services and events.
  • Take a lead role in the Monday - Friday breakfast service, including set-up, service, cash handling and cashing up.
  • Deliver a friendly and professional service across front of house, kitchen, breakfast and events.
  • Assist with staff scheduling, resource planning, ordering and stock control.
  • Ensure menus, displays, TV screens and front-of-house areas are prepared and ready for service.
  • Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, cleanliness, hygiene and customer service.
  • Support the delivery of hospitality functions, including evening, weekend and school-holiday events when required.
  • Make sure health and safety, food hygiene and Sodexo and client standards are consistently maintained.
  • Contribute to Safeguard audit requirements and wider compliance standards.
  • Respond professionally to customer feedback, complaints or service issues and escalate where appropriate.
  • Identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and the overall customer experience.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure services are delivered effectively and within required timescales.

What you’ll bring

Above all, we’re looking for someone who enjoys delivering excellent service and is ready to take a more active role in supporting and leading others.

You’ll bring:

  • Previous experience within catering, hospitality or another busy food-service environment.
  • A confident and positive approach to leading and supporting colleagues.
  • Strong customer-service skills and a genuine commitment to creating a great experience.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Good organisation and time-management skills.
  • The ability to stay organised and maintain standards during busy periods.
  • A practical approach to problem solving and the confidence to take appropriate action.
  • A flexible, professional and reliable approach.
  • The ability to work effectively with colleagues, customers, clients and the wider management team.
  • A commitment to continuous improvement, with the confidence to identify ways to raise standards and improve service.

Whether you’re already working as a Catering Team Leader, Senior Catering Assistant, Hospitality Team Leader or Food Service Supervisor, or you’re an experienced catering professional ready for your next step, we’d like to hear from you.

Desirable

It would be advantageous if you also have:

  • IOSH Safety Management qualification
  • CIEH Level 2 or Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification

What we offer

Working with Sodexo is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to join an organisation where you can develop your skills, take on greater responsibility and build your career.

As a Sodexo colleague, you can benefit from:

  • A 35-hour working week
  • A core Monday - Friday, 7.30am-3.00pm working pattern
  • A 38-week contract
  • Full training and protective uniform
  • Learning and development opportunities to support your career progression
  • Unlimited access to an online mental health and wellbeing support platform
  • An Employee Assistance Programme supporting everyday, legal, financial, work-related and personal matters
  • Access to health and wellbeing support, including a 24-hour virtual GP
  • Sodexo discounts across shopping, travel and more
  • Access to financial wellbeing support through the Salary Finance Platform
  • Membership of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
  • Death in Service benefit for eligible colleagues
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Volunteering opportunities to support local communities
  • A supportive, varied and dynamic working environment

Build your experience. Develop your leadership. Make a difference.

This role gives you the opportunity to do more than simply deliver a catering service.

You’ll have the chance to support and lead colleagues, take greater responsibility for daily operations, work across catering and hospitality services and continue building your leadership experience within Sodexo.

The variety is an important part of the opportunity. While your core pattern is Monday-Friday, you’ll also support occasional evening and weekend functions and events during school holidays, giving you exposure to a wider range of hospitality and event service.

Ready to be part of something greater?

If you’re an experienced catering or hospitality professional who enjoys delivering great service and is ready to take the next step into a role with greater responsibility, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step in your career with Sodexo at Edinburgh Academy Senior School

Safeguarding

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo appropriate screening, which may include checks with previous employers and Disclosure Scotland in Scotland.

Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

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KEY BENEFITS

  • Advice and guidance

    Get help with legal, financial, personal or work issues whenever you need it.
  • Pension Plan

    Save effectively for your future when you join the Sodexo Pension Plan.
  • Wellbeing support

    Unlimited access to online support for your mental health, 24/7.
  • Generous leave

    For holidays, care needs or major life events, we’ll help you rest and recharge.
  • Discounts and savings

    Enjoy great deals from leading retailers and use our Bike to Work scheme
  • Virtual GP

    24-hour access to video or phone consultations for you and your family.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At our company, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Roles at Sodexo are designed to empower individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment that values equity and supports the growth of all employees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from our collective success.

Social Impact

Ever since we started, we’ve had a clear purpose – to do some good in our communities through helping people. Today, that purpose is still a huge part of who we are. And every one of our colleagues helps that happen.

We’re committed to volunteering our time, resources, skills and knowledge – more than 50% of colleagues contribute to thousands of volunteer hours every year. And our Charitable Foundation has now donated over £9 million to charities and good causes across the country.

Learn more

Map showing location of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH3 5BL
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH3 5BL

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