Cook Manager – School Kitchen Lead

About the role

The Cook Manager will lead the day‑to‑day kitchen operations at Spencer Nursery, delivering fresh, nutritious meals for children while ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality. This is a hands‑on position that combines team leadership with direct food preparation.

Key responsibilities

• Manage daily kitchen activities, preparing and serving meals in line with school menus.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and budget management to meet financial targets.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, health & safety, and safeguarding regulations.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, portion sizes and maintain accurate records such as HACCP logs and temperature checks.
• Manage allergen information and cater for special dietary requirements.
• Build positive relationships with staff, students and the wider school community.

Required profile

• Commitment to safeguarding children and young people.
• Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate (required).
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (highly desirable).
• Proven leadership experience in a kitchen or catering environment.
• Strong organisational, planning and time‑management abilities.
• Ability to work flexibly in a fast‑paced, term‑time only schedule.

Required skills

• Food safety and HACCP knowledge.
• Allergen awareness and management.
• Stock control and inventory management.
• Budget and cost control.
• Menu planning and nutrition standards.

What we offer

• £13.22 per hour (£15,157 annual total including location allowance).
• 22.5 hours per week – no weekends or late nights.
• Term‑time only contract with school holidays off.
• Uniform provided and a £1,000 joining bonus (T&Cs apply).
• Referral reward up to £500.
• Career progression, exclusive discounts and wellbeing support.