Assistant Catering Manager

ASSISTANT CATERING MANAGER - Oak Academy

Start: ASAP (depending on pre-employment checks)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5hrs per week, 39 weeks per year(term time only plus inset days). Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Salary: Actual £23,414.60 - £24,555.36(£27,209.80 - £28,535.47 per annum FTE)

Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 22nd November 2026

Are you an experienced and motivated catering professional looking for your next supporting leadership role? We are seeking an Assistant Catering Manager 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 Assistant Catering Manager, you will:

• Oversee the day-to-day catering operations, ensuring all meals meet National Nutritional Standards.
• Support the catering manager in leading, supporting, and supervising catering staff.
• Support the catering manager in managing stock, resources, budgeting and cost control to deliver a value-for-money service without compromising quality.
• Support in developing menus, maintaining 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.
• Support with management of catering finances, including revenue, expenditure, stock control and financial reporting.
• Ensure safe operation and maintenance of all kitchen equipment.
• Support managing 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

The successful candidate will:

• Have proven experience in catering leadership or kitchen management.
• Demonstrate strong organisational, communication and people-management skills.
• Be committed to providing high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Understand financial management in a catering setting.
• Be proactive, reliable and able to work under pressure.
• Share our values and be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students.

Why join Oak?

At Oak Academy we believe in developing not only academic excellence, but strong character, resilience and integrity. As part of our team, you will play an important role in modelling and nurturing these qualities in the young people we serve.

We can offer you:

• an excellent working environment
• the opportunity to work as part of a supportive team
• one personal day every academic year
• access to the Local Government Pension Scheme - Oak Academy contribute 23.6% each month on top of your contribution!
• Occupational sick pay, protecting you and your family.
• access to our health care cash plan and rewards scheme after six months service.
• continuous Professional Development options that will be tailored to your needs.
• competitive maternity, paternity and adoption benefits.

Oak Academy is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.   

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants.   

Note - We reserve the right to close the vacancy early prior to the published closing date and interview and offer to a strong candidate. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their application as soon as possible. No further applications will be accepted once closed.  

To apply, please complete the online application form.  

For more information about this role please contact:  

[email removed]