Cook Manager

As a Catering Manager at Sodexo for 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.

• 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.

• Experience managing or supervising a busy kitchen or catering operation.
• Experience cooking on a large scale, ideally serving between 100 and 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 and 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.
• Desirable: Experience within education catering or a similar high volume environment.
• Experience managing budgets and food costs.

• Competitive hourly rate of £15.00.
• Full time contract of 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7am 3pm during term time only (39 week pattern paid over 52 weeks).
• Equated pay with spread over method - equal amounts each month.
• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme for personal and work related support.
• Free health and wellbeing app with rewards, 24 hour virtual GP and other services.
• Sodexo Discounts Scheme with great deals and a prepaid cashback card.
• Money Insight and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan with a death in service benefit.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to encourage environmental sustainability.
• Volunteering opportunities across communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment with full training and protective uniform supplied.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles may require applicants to undergo screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) checks.