Trust Catering Manager

Make a Real Difference Through School Food at Keystone Academy Trust

Trust Catering Manager

Grade 9 scale point 24 - 27

37 hours weekly working 41 weeks per year (term time plus 3 weeks)

Do you believe that great food can transform a school day?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Trust Catering Manager to lead and develop catering services across our multi-academy trust. This is a rare opportunity to shape a joined‑up catering offer that puts quality, compliance, value for money and pupil experience at its heart.

Working across a family of primary schools, you will provide strategic leadership alongside practical, hands‑on support ensuring kitchens are well‑run, staff are supported, and meals are nutritious, appealing and financially sustainable.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Has strong operational experience in catering management
• Enjoys leading and developing teams across multiple sites
• Is confident with food standards, health and safety, and compliance
• Wants the satisfaction of knowing their work directly supports children’s wellbeing and learning

You will play a key role in:

• Setting and maintaining high standards across all school kitchens and school meals providers
• Supporting and training catering staff
• Improving consistency, efficiency and value for money
• Working collaboratively with school leaders to enhance the lunchtime experience
• Exploring opportunities to expand catering services in our localities.

In return, we offer:

• A purposeful role with visible impact
• Supportive colleagues and clear senior leadership and trustee backing
• The opportunity to shape and improve services, not just maintain them
• Term‑time focus and a better work-life balance than many commercial roles
• Comprehensive employee wellbeing support package
• Local Government Pension Scheme

Working location is flexible across our Trust of schools - travel required between schools on a regular basis.

If you are passionate about food, people and making a difference in education, we would love to hear from you.

We reserve the right to close this position early if deemed appropriate.

Keystone Academy Trust is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates prior to appointment, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity. All pre-employment checks are in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974