Kitchen Manager

Vacancy Summary

Kitchen Manager

Band 7 SCP 11-17, £29,071 - £32,046 

Permanent contract

37 hours per week, All Year Round   

Vacancy Information

The Governors, Staff and Parents of The Lilycroft and St Edmund’s Nursery Schools’ Federation are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and capable Kitchen Manager to join our kitchen team at St Edmund’s Nursery School. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and passionate Kitchen Manager to lead our kitchen team at St Edmund’s.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who takes pride in producing delicious, nutritious and well-balanced meals while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, hygiene and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and manage the kitchen team, ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day running of the kitchen.
• Plan, prepare and deliver varied, nutritious and balanced daily menus that cater for a wide range of dietary needs and requirements.
• Demonstrate excellent allergy awareness, ensuring all children's dietary requirements, food allergies and intolerances are carefully identified, recorded and catered for.
• Follow strict procedures to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the safe preparation, storage and serving of allergen-free meals.
• Ensure all meals are prepared and presented to a consistently high standard.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, health and safety standards, ensuring full compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Monitor stock levels, manage food ordering and minimise waste.
• Manage kitchen resources and ensure the efficient use of ingredients, equipment and supplies.
• Liaise and negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive prices and achieve the best value for money.

About You - Kitchen Manager

We are looking for an organised, reliable and enthusiastic Kitchen Manager who has a genuine passion for food and proven experience in kitchen management in a supervisory role.

You will be a confident and supportive leader with excellent organisational and communication skills, a thorough understanding of food hygiene, health and safety regulations and the ability to manage a busy kitchen efficiently.

You must be able to work independently, use your initiative and work effectively as part of a team, maintaining high standards even under pressure.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Proven experience in kitchen management in a supervisory position.
• Experience of working in a school kitchen. 
• Excellent leadership, organisational and time-management skills.
• A good understanding of food hygiene, health and safety legislation.
• The ability to plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals.
• Have a strong understanding of food allergies, intolerances and allergen management, with the ability to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children.
• Be confident in managing allergen information, preventing cross-contamination and following appropriate food safety procedures.
• Experience of Early Year's food and nutrition guidance.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills.
• An NVQ qualification in food preparation and cookery.
• A level 3 Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate.

Hours of Work

• Monday to Thursday: 7.30am – 3.45pm
• Friday: 7.30am – 3.15pm

We Can Offer You

• An opportunity to play a key role in our forward thinking, creative organisation, operating at the forefront of Early Years Education in the North of England.
• Amazing children and families from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
• A committed, friendly, diverse and welcoming staff and governor team.
• Support with your continued professional development.

If you would like to come and have a look around the School, please ring Amanda Nicholson on 01274 543282 to arrange an appointment.

Closing date: 5pm, Thursday 26 November 2026

Interviews: Monday 30 November 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

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