Catering Manager

Responsible to: The Bursar

Reporting to: The Bursar

Department: Operations

Purpose:As the Catering Manager, you will be responsible for the overall management and operation of the schools catering services. This includes overseeing the catering operations for the Prep School, Senior School and 6th Form with up to 200 boarders which includes, breakfast, lunch and supper. You will ensure that all menus and recipes are prepared using quality products and that meals meet high standards of taste, nutrition, and presentation while adhering to food safety regulations and school policies. Working 5 days over 7, you will play a key role in managing the catering team, ordering of goods, managing of production and wastage numbers and driving continuous improvement in service delivery and cost control.

Overall Responsibilities:

Operational Management:

Oversee daily operations of the catering service, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

Manage the breakfast service, ensuring a varied offering that meets the needs of the school.

Coordinate and manage the lunch program, including ordering, receiving, and ensuring proper preparation and presentation of meals.

Coordinate and managing of the supper program, including ordering, receiving, and ensuring safe preparation and high presentation of meals.

Plan, organise hospitality events, including internal school functions, staff meetings, and special occasions.

Team Leadership:

Lead, motivate, and develop the catering team, fostering a positive and efficient working environment.

Conduct regular staff training on food safety, allergy management, and customer service standards, either internally or with an external provider.

Schedule and manage staffing levels to meet the operational needs of the school, including breakfast, lunch, supper and events.

Compliance and Food Safety:

Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety and hygiene regulations, including Natashas Law.

Ensure that the schools food safety and allergen policy; are fully implemented across the catering areas of the school.

Maintain accurate records of food safety checks, allergen management, and temperature logs.

Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety.

Hygiene:

Ensure everyone handling food is aware of the standards of hygiene required by law and the School and ensure correct procedures for food handling and storage are followed. Ensure all items of equipment and utensils are scrupulously maintained, and cleaning rotas are implemented, and standards are monitored.

Health and Safety:

Ensure safe working practices are carried out, and action taken to correct any faults that could result in an accident.

Ensure all members of staff are aware of the COSHH regulations and always abide by them.

Menu and Supplier Management:

Work closely with suppliers to ensure the menu offerings are well-balanced and meet the needs of the students and school.

Provide input and feedback on menu choices and suggest adjustments based on student preferences and feedback.

Purchase foods from nominated food suppliers to ensure timely orders are completed to ensure a smooth operation of the catering supplies to meet

Budget and Financial Management:

Support the Bursary with the catering budget, ensuring cost control and efficient use of resources.

Track and report on expenditure, revenue, and food waste, identifying areas for cost savings and improved efficiency.

Implement and maintain effective stock control procedures.

Customer Service:

Maintain excellent relationships with students, staff, and parents, addressing any feedback or concerns promptly and professionally.

Regularly engage with students and staff to gather feedback and make improvements to the service based on their input.

Ensure the dining environment is welcoming, clean, and reflects the schools values and standards.

OTHER DUTIES

Carry out any other reasonable requests from your Line Manager

Support the school with their commitment to safeguardand promote the welfare of children and young people.

In order to meet the high standards expected of a member of staff in our School, the Bursar is seeking to employ a person with the following qualities, experience, skills and abilities.

Person Specification

Key Skills and Qualifications:

Proven experience in a similar role within a school, restaurant, care home, or contract catering environment.

Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse team.

Enthusiastic with a positive attitude and passion for creating a vibrant and welcoming environment.

Excellent knowledge of food safety regulations and compliance, including allergen management and Natashas Law.

Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.

Expectations as a member of Barnard Castle School Staff

To have high professional standards and so be an appropriate role model of reliability, behaviour and appearance

To contribute to marketing the school and to promote the School to prospective pupils and parents

To establish and maintain high standards of communication with pupils, staff and parents

To uphold all the policies of Barnard Castle School

Exceptional communication and customer service skills, with a focus on building relationships and exceeding expectations

Relevant catering or hospitality management qualification (e.g., Level 2 Food Safety, NVQ).

To take an interest in how the School functions and to convey suggestions for improvement to the Bursar and Headmaster from time to time

To subscribe to the Schools ethos of inclusivity, collegiality and helpfulness

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post and is not intended to be exhaustive. staff may be required to carry out such other duties as the Headmaster or Bursar may reasonably require from time to time.

Duties and responsibilities, may be subject to change and development, the job description will be reviewed periodically and subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Support

The staff member will be appraised by their Line Manager but routine communication will be on going and professional development.

Appointment Terms, Conditions and Benefits

Type: Permanent contract

Probationary Period: 6 months

Salary Depending on experience

Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

The nature of the role will require the post holder to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role and the needs of the department.

During School holidays the School is open for business to external organisations for day and residential lettings. The catering department is expected to meet the demands of any holiday trading.

Notice: During the probationary period by School and Employee is one week in writing.Post probationary is 2 months

Absence: Entitlement to Statutory Sick pay (SSP) only during first year.School sick pay as detailed in contract will apply in 2nd and later years.

Paid holidays:

20 days per annum plus bank holidays.

Holiday year runs 1st September to 31st August.

As a Boarding School, some public holidays (usually May Day) are a normal working day and a lieu day can be taken in School holiday working weeks for this

Pension: In accordance with current pension legislation, Operational Staff are automatically enrolled in The Pensions Trust Flexible Retirement Plan scheme unless they choose to opt out.More information is available on request.

Barnard Castle School has engaged the services of the Independent Schools Catering Consultancy to recruit for this role. ISCC will manage the recruitment process on Barnard Castle Schools behalf up to shortlist interviews.

If you feel that you can meet the above requirements, then please submit a letter of application along with the Barnard Castle School application form to Lorna Bell. Only applications containing the requested information will be considered.

Application Process

Applications should be sent to:

Lorna Bell

Closing Date :

Applications will be considered as they arrive

Interviews:

Interviews will take place at Barnard Castle School

Information about interviews

Applicants should read carefully the application procedure guidance for applicants, Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders and the Disclosure policy and the Safer Recruitment policy.

Barnard Castle School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Services.

Barnard Castle School is an equal opportunities employer.