Catering Manager
Chorlton High School, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M21 7SL13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Once all pre-employment checks have been completed
Closing date
30 June 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
17 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Catering, cleaning and site management
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: This is a permanent post working 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 2:30pm, term time only plus 5 INSET days.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Grade 5 - £29,064 - £32,061
What skills and experience we're looking for
Job Description
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Catering Manager to join our fantastic team at Chorlton High School
This is a permanent post working 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 2:30pm, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is£24,998 per annum (full-time equivalent£29,064,Grade 5)
We're looking for:
An experienced and confident people leader to manage one of the Trust's largest school catering operations. This role is about much more than delivering excellent food. You will lead and inspire a busy kitchen team of approximately 20 catering staff, ensuring high standards of service, performance and compliance while creating a positive and collaborative working environment.
The successful candidate will have substantial experience of managing staff in a fast-paced catering environment and be able to demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills. You will be comfortable motivating others, managing performance, supporting staff development and dealing confidently with attendance, recruitment and day-to-day people management matters.
Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will oversee the daily operation of the school kitchen, ensuring that high standards of food quality, hygiene and customer service are consistently maintained.
You will hold, or be working towards,NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking (or equivalent)and possess a sound understanding of food safety legislation, allergen management and health and safety requirements.
As an integral part of the role, you will also be responsible for financial administration and must be confident using IT systems. You should have good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and experience of maintaining accurate electronic records, completing payroll returns and producing financial and operational reports.
A strong customer focus is essential. We are looking for someone who is approachable, professional and able to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, senior leaders and external partners.
Main purpose of the job
Reporting to the Head of Catering and working closely with school leaders and colleagues across the Trust, you will be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient operation of all aspects of the catering service.
You will have full line management responsibility for the catering team, ensuring high standards of performance, compliance and customer service while promoting an inclusive and supportive culture.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead, manage and develop a catering team of approximately 20 staff, including recruitment, induction, training, attendance management and performance management.
- Deliver a high-quality, cost-effective catering service in line with Service Level Agreements, contractual requirements and relevant legislation.
- Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health and safety and COSHH regulations at all times.
- Follow pre-planned menus to meet nutritional standards, legislative requirements and customer needs.
- Complete cash reconciliation, payroll returns and financial administration in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Maintain accurate electronic records and use Microsoft Office systems confidently to support operational and administrative requirements.
- Drive excellent customer service across the catering provision and respond professionally to the needs of the school community.
- Support service development by participating in new initiatives, menu trials and continuous improvement activities.
Applicants must have:
- NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking (or be working towards the qualification).
- Significant operational experience within a professional catering environment.
- Proven experience of leading and managing a large team, with the ability to motivate, develop and hold staff accountable.
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build positive relationships at all levels.
- Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience of maintaining electronic records and completing administrative returns.
- Strong understanding of food safety legislation, allergen management and health and safety requirements.
- The ability to work under pressure, prioritise competing demands and manage a busy catering operation effectively.
To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
How to apply
Please follow the online application process to be considered.Interviews are scheduled to take place in person in early July.
All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.
What the school offers its staff
Chorlton High School
Chorlton High School (CHS) is a diverse and innovative secondary academy committed to providing outstanding education. We are a mixed, multi-cultural, and multi-faith community with strong links to local primary schools, sixth form providers, further education colleges, and businesses.
Our students thrive on an exciting learning journey underpinned by academic rigour and creative flair. Driven by our core values, our dedicated staff ensure creativity, happiness, and success are central to every student’s experience. We aim to develop:
- SUCCESSFUL learners with foundations for lifelong success.
- CREATIVE learners who are imaginative risk-takers.
- HAPPY learners whose confidence comes from within.
CHS is recognised locally and nationally for educational excellence. Our ambitious and cutting-edge practices provide exemplary learning opportunities.
Our Ofsted reports (2011, 2016, 2021) highlight many ‘Outstanding’ features and our focus on nurturing and inspiring students;
‘Pupils enjoy coming to school because it is a caring and supportive environment where they flourish.’
‘Leaders and teachers collaborate across the Prospere Learning Trust to bring about purposeful, evidence-based change.' Ofsted 2021
Visit our website to learn more:Chorlton High School.
Further information about the job
Job Application Information
Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.
Safeguarding Commitment
All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
Equality Statement
Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
For application support please contact us on 0161 527 7953 or email jobs@prospere.org.uk
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Chorlton High School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1529 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Chorlton High School website
- Email address
- jobs@prospere.org.uk
Chorlton High School is a rapidly developing, diverse and innovative academy with an excellent academic record. We are a mixed, multi-cultural and multi-faith school catering for students aged 11-16 and are proud to be at the heart of our local community with strong, effective links with local Primary Schools, Sixth Form providers, Further Education colleges and local businesses. Our Ofsted reports (2011, 2016, 2021) highlight many ‘Outstanding’ features along with the school’s resolute focus on nurturing, supporting and inspiring all of its students.
Chorlton High School is a special place. We strive to ensure that all students, at every age and ability level, have an excellent foundation for future success in all aspects of their lives.
Facilities in all curriculum areas are outstanding this enables students to access learning experiences of the highest quality on a daily basis. Chorlton High School's talented, dedicated and diligent team of staff, who make creativity, happiness and success central to every student’s daily experience.
The school’s academic transformation and upward trajectory is a credit to the relentless commitment of students, parents and staff. We work closely with students at an individual level to ensure the fulfilment of their academic potential whilst providing rich and diverse cultural and social experiences. We are proud of our students, past and present, who leave us as well-rounded, confident and respectful citizens.
Excellent teaching and learning is at the heart of all that we do. Our ambitious, imaginative and cutting edge practice provides exemplary experiences and outcomes for our students. As a designated Teaching School we share our innovative strategies regularly across the city, region and in the national arena to promote achievement and excellence for all. Chorlton High School is rapidly gaining recognition as a centre of educational excellence both locally and nationally.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester