Cook Manager

As a Catering Manager at Sodexo at The Earls High School, you will take ownership of the catering operation, leading a dedicated team to deliver exceptional food experiences for students, staff, and visitors every day.

You will be responsible for the overall management of the school kitchen, ensuring high-quality meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, and with pride. From menu planning and financial management to team leadership and customer satisfaction, you will play a key role in making the catering service one of the best in the region.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced catering professional who enjoys being hands-on, developing people, and creating a positive food culture within a school environment.

Your leadership style will inspire your team, helping them to feel valued, supported, and motivated to deliver their best every day.

Best of all, this role offers a fantastic work-life balance, with no unsociable hours and school holiday benefits, including time off during Christmas and public holidays.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What you do:

As Catering Manager, you will:

• Lead and motivate the kitchen team, providing guidance, coaching, training, and support.
• Oversee the preparation and service of fresh, nutritious meals for students, staff, and visitors.
• Manage the full catering operation, including food production, service delivery, stock control, and financial performance.
• Prepare and manage menus that meet customer needs while maintaining quality, cost control, and nutritional standards.
• Manage food ordering, stock levels, waste reduction, and supplier relationships.
• Monitor labour, food, and operating costs to achieve agreed budgets and targets.
• Ensure consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and customer service.
• Complete regular audits and ensure compliance with food safety, health and safety, and company standards.
• Create a welcoming dining experience that encourages students to enjoy healthy, nutritious meals.
• Work collaboratively with the school and Sodexo teams to continuously improve the catering service.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a passionate catering professional who enjoys leading teams and delivering excellent food service.

You will have:

• Experience managing or supervising a busy kitchen or catering operation.
• Experience cooking on a large scale, ideally serving between 100–1,300 meals per day.
• Experience following recipes and delivering consistent food quality.
• Previous experience managing, supervising, or developing a team.
• Experience working with fresh ingredients and high-quality produce.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety procedures.
• The ability to work under pressure and manage priorities in a busy kitchen environment.
• A professional approach with a positive attitude and a passion for great food.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 Catering qualification (or equivalent).
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate.

Desirable:

• Experience within education catering or a similar high-volume environment.
• Experience managing budgets and food costs.

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.

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

Why Sodexo?

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

• £15.00 per hour
• 37.5 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.**

File Downloads

• HR-5933_Benefits UK Brochure V9.pdf