Catering Manager
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Catering Manager to lead the strategic direction, day-to-day delivery and continuous development of our catering provision across the School. You will oversee multiple kitchens and catering outlets, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, customer service, hygiene and compliance, while delivering a nutritious, attractive and cost-effective offering for pupils, staff and visitors.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the catering team, including recruitment, induction, training, appraisal and performance management, creating a positive and inclusive working culture.
- Oversee catering operations across all sites, ensuring consistent quality, service and customer care for pupils, staff and visitors.
- Manage allergens and dietary requirements, ensuring safe and sensitive provision for all dietary needs.
- Ensure compliancewith food safety, hygiene, allergen and health & safety legislation, maintaining strong standards of cleanliness, record-keeping and inspection readiness.
- Manage budgets and procurement, monitoring food costs, stock, waste and supplier performance to achieve best value and efficiency.
- Deliver core catering servicesincluding daily lunches, breakfast provision, sports teas/matchday catering, buffets, working lunches, refreshments and hospitality for formal events & functions.
- Develop and improve the catering offering, driving innovation and continuous service improvement in line with the School’s ethos and community.
- Lead menu planningensuring meals are appealing, nutritious, balanced and age-appropriate, reflecting current food trends and pupil wellbeing.
- Support sustainabilitythrough practical initiatives such as waste reduction and responsible sourcing, where appropriate.
- Maintain a hands-on presencewithin the catering operation, including cooking alongside the team when required, covering absence and supporting busy services.
- Work collaborativelywith pupils, staff and stakeholders to gather feedback and continuously improve the catering service.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Professional catering qualifications, including Level 3 Professional Cookery (City & Guilds or equivalent), Food Safety & Hygiene Level 3, HACCP Level 2, GCSE English and Mathematics (A*–C/9–4) or equivalent.
- Strategic catering leadership experience(minimum 2 years) within a medium/large catering establishment.
- Confident communication skills, able to build positive relationships with pupils, staff, contractors and stakeholders.
- IT proficiency(e.g. Word and Excel) and confidence with record-keeping and reporting.
- Personal qualities: calm under pressure, proactive, adaptable and flexible, approachable and professional, with a positive attitude to training and development.
- Desirable: experience of working in an education setting.
Please see Job Description & Person Specification for full details & requirements.
Benefits
Benefits include but are not limited to:
- Free refreshments, fruit and a 3-course lunch during term time.
- Employee assistance packages - AIG SmartHealth and L&G Sparks.
- Recently refurbished gym on-site and access to gym membership offer for the University of Bath.
- Generous and competitive school fee remission.
- Tax-efficient Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Pilates classes & running club.
- Support towards prescription glasses and eye tests.
- If applicable, you will be automatically enrolled into the King Edward’s School, Bath Group Personal Pension Plan with an employer’s contribution of 6% of salary, to be matched by a 2% employee contribution.
About King Edward's School, Bath
About King Edward’s School, Bath
Founded in 1552, King Edward’s School (KES) is
Bath’s oldest schooland one of the leading co-educational independent schools in the south-west of England. The School was recently awarded Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West by the
Sunday Times Parent Power Guide2026 (
Read more). Serving pupils aged 3–18 across its
Seniorand
Sixth Formsections, KES combines a rich heritage with a forward-thinking approach to education (
The School has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, reflected in consistently outstanding results (
Our aim is to foster talent in all its forms, nurture independence and respect, and prepare pupils for happy, successful lives at school and beyond. Whether joining in Sixth Form or at the start of their school journey, every pupil is supported to achieve their best.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.