Cook Manager

Job Introduction

Cook Manager – St Helen’s Primary School, Cliffe
Church Street, Cliffe, Rochester, ME3 2UP

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater.

We are looking for a passionate and motivated Cook Manager to lead our school kitchen at St Helen’s Primary School in Rochester. This is your chance to showcase your skills, inspire a small team, and make a real difference to the school community every day.

With Sodexo, you won’t just be cooking – you’ll be creating nutritious meals that fuel learning, guiding your team, and shaping a positive food culture. And unlike many catering roles, you’ll enjoy a great work–life balance: no late nights, no weekends, and public holidays off – including Christmas.

What you’ll do

• Prepare, cook, and present fresh, tasty meals for pupils and staff.

• Lead, inspire, and develop your kitchen team.

• Manage stock, budgets, and kitchen standards.

• Ensure compliance with food safety, allergen, and health & safety regulations.

• Create and adapt menus to keep food exciting and nutritious.

• Deliver excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere every day.

What you bring

• Experience cooking for large groups (95-100 students).

• A background in working with fresh produce and following recipes.

• Previous supervisory or leadership experience.

• A positive outlook and ability to stay calm under pressure.

• Understanding of health and safety in the kitchen.

• Basic food handling certification (NVQ Level 2 / Level 2 Food Safety).

• At least 1 year of hands-on cooking experience.

What we offer

Working with Sodexo is more than a job – it’s a chance to belong, act with purpose, and thrive in your own way. In addition to full training and uniform, you’ll enjoy:

• Work–life balance: no weekends or unsociable hours, and all public holidays off.

• Wellbeing support: unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing platforms, plus a 24/7 virtual GP.

• Family & lifestyle perks: Sodexo Discounts Scheme (for you and your family), Cycle to Work, and volunteering opportunities.

• Financial security: Salary Finance platform, retirement plan, and death-in-service benefit.

• Career development: training, growth, and opportunities across Sodexo’s global network.

Ready to make a real impact in your kitchen and community? Apply today and bring your passion to Sodexo.

Safeguarding: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This role will require 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 a high volume of applications is received.

Package Description

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

• £13.94  per hour
• 30 hours per week
• Working pattern: Monday - Friday (8am - 2pm)
• 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 the Company

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.