Head of Kitchen

Job description

Position: Head of Kitchen

Salary: Sc SO1 (Pt 23 to Pt 25 ) depending on experience

Hours of work: Full Time (36 hours per week) considered – Term Time Only

Contract Term: Permanent

Closing Date: 16th November 2026

Interviews: 25th November 2026

Start date : December 2026

Gladesmore Community School is seeking an experienced, organised and committed Head of Kitchen to manage the day-to-day operation of our in-house catering service, reporting to the Senior Leadership Team.

The successful candidate will supervise the kitchen and Glade Diner staff, coordinate food preparation and service, and ensure that students and staff receive healthy, high-quality meals through an efficient, welcoming and inclusive service.

The postholder will be responsible for maintaining excellent standards of food safety, hygiene and allergen control. They will ensure that all required checks and records are completed accurately and that the kitchen is prepared for internal audits, external inspections and Environmental Health Officer visits.

Key responsibilities include:

Supervising and organising the catering team during food preparation and service
Allocating duties and ensuring staff work safely, efficiently and to the required standard
Overseeing the preparation and service of meals and snacks across all catering service areas
Maintaining robust HACCP, food-safety, hygiene and allergen-management procedures
Ensuring allergen information, food labels, menus and pricing are accurate and up to date
Meeting dietary, religious and allergen requirements
Monitoring food quality, presentation, availability and portion control throughout service
Planning menus and identifying the food, materials, staffing and equipment required
Forecasting food requirements and placing accurate and timely orders
Monitoring stock levels, usage, pricing and food waste
Comparing suppliers on price, quality, reliability and suitability to secure best value for the school
Obtaining quotations and recommending alternative products or suppliers where savings or service improvements can be achieved
Maintaining effective supplier relationships and resolving issues with deliveries, quality or availability
Checking deliveries against orders and ensuring goods are safely stored and accurately recorded
Managing expenditure and income within agreed budgets and procedures
Maintaining accurate temperature checks, cleaning schedules, delivery records and other required compliance documentation
Preparing for internal audits, external inspections and Environmental Health Officer visits
Ensuring catering equipment is used safely, cleaned and maintained, and reporting repair or replacement requirements
Supporting school events, open evenings, community events and themed catering activities
Implementing agreed service improvements and reporting progress to SLT

About you

Applicants should have:

Substantial experience of working in a busy catering environment
Experience of supervising and organising catering staff
Strong practical food preparation, cooking and presentation skills
An appropriate food-safety qualification
A good working knowledge of HACCP, food hygiene and allergen requirements
Experience of food ordering, stock control and checking deliveries
Good commercial awareness and the ability to compare suppliers and secure value for money
Experience of managing costs, monitoring budgets and reducing food waste
Strong organisational, communication and record-keeping skills
The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during busy service periods
A professional and respectful approach to working with students, colleagues, suppliers and visitors
Competent digital skills for ordering, maintaining records and preparing reports

Experience of working in school, contract or high-volume catering would be an advantage.

This is an excellent opportunity for a capable and dependable catering professional who takes pride in maintaining high standards and providing a positive service for young people.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to bring in a copy of their photo ID and most recent DBS certificate on the day of the interview.

Gladesmore Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this post will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Scheme, confirmation of qualifications, experience checks and satisfactory references. An online check of publicly available information will be completed to assess shortlisted candidate’s suitability to work with our children.