Location
Barking

Hours
Permanent, 35 hours per week, term time only (plus 10 days during school holiday periods)

Salary
P05 Scale Point 38-41 (£52,194 – 55,323 FTE), prorated salary range is likely to be approx. £46,458 – 49,243 (dependent on experience, weeks per year and continuous service), based on working 35 hours per week, term time plus ten days.

About the Role
Are you an inspirational leader with a passion for delivering high-quality catering services? Do you thrive on developing new ideas, leading teams and providing an outstanding customer experience?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, innovative and experienced Catering Manager to join our team at Eastbrook School. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead and develop our established catering team while driving the continued improvement of our catering provision across our dual-campus, all-through school.

As Catering Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our pupils, staff and visitors receive a high-quality food service, whilst maintaining the highest standards of food quality, hygiene, compliance and customer care.

The Federation
Eastbrook School is proud to be working in partnership with Barking Abbey School. Together, we are committed to delivering outstanding education and support services through collaboration, shared expertise and continuous improvement. Whilst this role is primarily focused on managing services and the team at Eastbrook School, our catering function across the partnership is joint with schools sharing menus, suppliers, and operational routines. Our catering staff are employed by each school; however, staff work across sites, provide support to each other and work as a collective.

This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively across the federation, sharing best practice and supporting catering initiatives where appropriate. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across both schools to help deliver a consistent, high-quality catering service, making the most of shared resources, knowledge and expertise to benefit our pupils and staff.

The Successful Candidate Will:
- Lead and manage the day-to-day catering operation across the school.
- Inspire, motivate and develop the catering team to deliver an exceptional service.
- Ensure compliance with all food hygiene, health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
- Manage budgets, stock control and procurement effectively.
- Develop innovative, nutritious and appealing menus that meet the needs of our diverse school community.
- Promote excellent customer service and maintain consistently high standards.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Barking Abbey Federation, contributing to shared initiatives and supporting the continued development of catering services across the partnership.
- Be committed to providing an excellent dining experience for all pupils, staff and visitors.

In return we offer:
- A good school with a welcoming and supportive community.
- A student-centred, progress focused ethos.
- The opportunity to work with passionate, hardworking and supportive staff.
- A supportive and committed Leadership team and Governing Body.
- A commitment to develop your skills through continued professional development.
- Purpose built specialist learning environment with industry level resources.
- A school which understands the importance of staff well-being and workload management.

Barking Abbey and Eastbrook School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is an Equal Opportunities Employer. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process, including Disclosure check, will be undertaken on all successful applicants.

Experience
Proven experience in managing catering operations, ideally within a school or similar environment. Experience leading and motivating teams to deliver high standards of service.

About you
Inspirational leader with a passion for delivering high-quality catering services. Innovative and enthusiastic with the ability to develop menus that meet diverse needs. Strong commitment to food hygiene, health and safety, and safeguarding. Excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple sites.

Qualifications
Relevant catering qualifications and food hygiene certifications are desirable. Commitment to continued professional development and training.