Catering Manager

Oak Academy, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH11 9JJ

11 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  5 January 2026

• Closing date

  7 December 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  21 November 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Catering, cleaning and site management
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: £26,016.00 - £28,727.00 Annually (Actual) £30,519 - £33,699 (FTE)

Catering Manager job summary

Are you an experienced and motivated catering professional looking for your next leadership role? We are seeking a Catering Manager on a fixed term contract to lead our busy in-house catering service and support the delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals for our students, staff, and external clients.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about excellent food, strong operational management, and driving service improvements within a thriving academy environment.

About the Role

As our Catering Manager, you will:

• Oversee the day-to-day catering operations, ensuring all meals meet National Nutritional Standards.
• Lead, support, and supervise catering staff, including rota management, appraisals and staff development.
• Manage stock, resources, budgeting and cost control to deliver a value-for-money service without compromising quality.
• Develop menus, maintain high standards of food presentation, and ensure a welcoming dining experience.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety, food hygiene, COSHH and safeguarding procedures.
• Build strong relationships with external clients and help grow the department’s commercial opportunities.
• Promote the academy and Trust values in all areas of your practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee food preparation, cooking and service.
• Negotiate with authorised suppliers to secure best value contracts.
• Manage catering finances, including revenue, expenditure, stock control and financial reporting.
• Ensure safe operation and maintenance of all kitchen equipment.
• Manage catering delivery arrangements to external academies during term time.
• Conduct risk assessments, maintain cleanliness, and uphold high hygiene standards.
• Support marketing efforts, create promotional materials and liaise with potential new clients.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience in catering leadership or kitchen management.
• Demonstrates strong organisational, communication and people-management skills.
• Is committed to providing high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Understands financial management in a catering setting.
• Is proactive, reliable and able to work under pressure.
• Shares our values and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students.

What We have to Offer:

• A visible and approachable senior leadership team and an enthusiastic and committed team of teachers and support staff.
• A strong support network both within the school and across Authentic Education.
• All staff are part of a professional learning community in which evidence-informed CPD is designed to meet individual needs.
• Strong potential for career progression.
• A culture that respects work-life balance and an ongoing commitment to wellbeing with a dedicated Wellbeing Champion.
• An Employee Assistance Programme including in the moment support and counselling sessions with an external provider.
• Staff benefits include free eye testing for DSE users through Specsavers, free will writing through Dunham McCarthy Solicitors and reduced-price corporate gym membership through BH Live.
• A competitive pension through Teachers’ Pensions or The Local Government Pension Scheme for support staff.



Should you wish to arrange a visit or an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Shelley Morris, HR Academy Lead at shelley.morris@oa.weareauthentic.education

Together we are Courageous, Innovative, Excellent

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Oak Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 647 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Oak Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oak-academy

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