Trust Catering Manager

The Gorse Academies Trust, Leeds, LS27 0LZ

12 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Start date to be agreed with successful candidate

• Closing date

  16 February 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  3 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
  • Catering, cleaning and site management
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: Permanent, 37 hours per week, (we are happy to discuss a term time + working pattern) Trust-wide, multi site (central team office + academies)
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Grade: PO5 (SCP 38–41) Salary: £49,282 - £52,413
• Additional allowances:

  + £2000 Golden Hello

What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you ready to shape and lead an exceptional catering service across a high performing multi academy trust? The GORSE Academies Trust is seeking an experienced, forward thinking Trust Catering Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational excellence across all our academies. For many of our pupils, the meal they receive at school is the most important meal of the day. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a trust wide service where your impact will be seen, felt, and appreciated by thousands of pupils, staff, and visitors every day.

The postholder will have the opportunity to shape and recruit their own central catering support team, enabling a trust-wide model that delivers consistency, quality and continuous improvement.

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Is passionate about delivering high quality, nutritious and appealing food to children and young people.
• Has the leadership presence and confidence to inspire catering teams across multiple settings.
• Is commercially aware, financially astute and driven to secure outstanding value for money.
• Thrives in a varied, fast paced environment where strategic oversight and hands on guidance go hand in hand.
• Wants to play a crucial part in enhancing the daily experience of pupils, staff and visitors across the trust.

The successful candidate will lead catering operations across the trust, developing a cohesive catering strategy and ensuring high‑quality, nutritious and inclusive menus. You’ll maintain consistent standards across all academies, support and manage catering managers, and oversee budgets, procurement and cost control. You will also ensure full compliance with food safety and health and safety regulations, including HACCP, while building strong relationships with trust and academy leaders, staff, suppliers and external partners. Experience in education or the public sector is desirable but not essential.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate:

• Experience managing large‑scale or multi‑site catering operations.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop diverse teams.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety legislation, hygiene standards and allergen management.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Financial management experience, including budgeting and procurement.
• A commitment to promoting healthy eating and a positive food culture.
• A willingness to travel across multiple sites and engage regularly with kitchen teams.

What the school offers its staff

What We Offer

As a trust, we are committed to ensuring that professionals at every stage in their careerhave access to high-quality support, training and development. As part of our team, you will benefit from:

• Membership of a Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ongoing investment in your professional development and career progression.
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential advice and wellbeing support.
• £2,000 Cycle to Work scheme.

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

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and barring service check. We promote diversity and aim to establish a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Recruitment Pack.pdf - 3.53 MB (opens in new tab)

About The Gorse Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: The Gorse Academies Trust website
• Email address: recruitment@tgat.org.uk
• Phone number: 0113 487 8888
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-gorse-academies-trust

Arranging a visit to The Gorse Academies Trust

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@tgat.org.uk.

Head office location

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