Education Authority (Northern Ireland)
Catering Manager
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Catering Manager – Job Specification
Notes to Job Applicants
You must clearly demonstrate in your application how you meet all criteria, essential and desirable, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Criteria will be assessed as outlined in the selection timeline:
| Criteria Level | Assessment Stage |
|---|---|
| Essential | Shortlisting: Apply Form |
| Essential Skills | Interview |
| Desirable | Shortlisting (applied in order) |
The Selection Panel reserves the right to apply desirable criteria if the pool of applicants is large. Ensure clear evidence is provided for both essential and desirable criteria within the application deadline.
Section 1 – Essential Criteria
Qualifications & Experience
Shortlisting Assessed via Application Form (Evidence required)
-
Hold NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation & Cooking, City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2, or an equivalent higher qualification in kitchen/catering.
-
OR Have 2+ years’ demonstrable experience in food prep/cookery within a catering establishment, including team management responsibilities.
-
Proven ability to supervise or manage catering teams.
-
Experience in:
- Stock control
- Budget management
- Financial controls
Knowledge
Shortlisting Assessed via Application Form (Evidence required)
- HACCP Regulations (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point).
- Provision of special diets: Allergens, dietary restrictions, and ethnic/IDDSI requirements.
Other
Shortlisting Assessed via Application Form
-
Willingness to undertake job-related training.
-
Transportation Requirements:
- Have access to a suitable, maintained, and insured vehicle (AWV/RISE level).
- OR Provide alternative transport details confirming equivalence for mobility needs.
Section 2 – Essential Criteria (Assessed at Interview)
In Line with Education Authority’s Game Changing People Model
Skills & Abilities
(Evidence requested through role-play/interview demonstrations)
✔ Leadership & Team Management
- Motivate and develop teams for high-quality catering service delivery.
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✔ Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Collaborate with:
- Team members
- School staff
- Parents
- Senior management
✔ Planning & Organisation
- Thriving under pressure with minimal supervision.
- Work independently to meet deadlines.
- Drive sales, promotions, and engagement in catering services.
✔ Customer Service Excellence
- Champion catering service delivery to children/juniors and staff.
✔ Team Player
- Self and cross-team collaboration for service quality.
Values & Ethos
Assessed via Interview (Reflect on the Education Authority’s core values; link your experience/behaviours.)
Section 3 – Desirable Criteria
(Applied via Application Form in order listed)
Experience & Skills
- IT Proficiency:
- Confident use of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word & Teams.
- Training Delivery:
- Demonstrated ability to train catering/team staff.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
⚠️ The post interacts with children/young people, qualifying as a regulated activity under the: Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007.
- An Enhanced Disclosure Certificate will be required for appointment.
- Costs May Apply.
Job Description
📌 JOB TITLE: Catering Manager
↬ Reports To: Regional Operations Manager ↬ Responsible For: Entire Catering Team
🎯 Job Purpose
Lead the daily kitchen management, ensuring high-quality meal services for children, young people, and staff. Roles demand proven leadership, teamwork, and innovation in catering operations.
📝 Main Duties & Responsibilities
🍳 Service Delivery (Quality & Compliance)
- Menu & Food Execution:
-duce a full range of menus, ensuring variety, portion control, and presentation.
- Support special diet protocols (including IDDSI textural modifications, allergens, and ethnic options).
- Food Safety & Standards:
- Adhere to EA food safety policies, COSHH control protocols, and Natasha’s Law.
- Record food temperatures and maintain compliance records.
- Stock & Order Management:
- Efficient stock control, ordering, storage, and waste audits.
- Logistics & Equipment:
- Monitor food transport, delivery processes, and equipment maintenance (share defects immediately).
- Incident Reporting:
- Report incidents (fire, signs of infestation, faulty equipment).
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👥 People Management
- Team Leadership:
- Schedule staff, allocate duties, and ensure high performance.
- Conduct training/induction (including probation monitoring).
- Staff Development & Compliance:
- Train catering team members (following EA training policies & updates).
- Organise staff appraisals and performance targets.
- Support in hiring, disciplinary, and grievance investigations.
- Monitor absence and conduct return-to-work interviews.
- Communication & Morale:
- Foster consistent, open dialogue (staff meetings, feedback channels).
💰 Financial Responsibilities
- Budget & Cost Control:
- Monitor expenses against pre-set financial targets.
- Implement cost-saving updates (food, labour, overheads).
- Procurement & Accounting:
- Handle ordering, stock checks, bookkeeping.
- Ensure cash transactions comply with EA financial procedures.
📋 General Responsibilities
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Adhere to EA contracts, HACCP standards, Health & Safety (COSHH, PPE).
- Workplace Standards:
- Maintain personal hygiene and enforce EA’s uniform dress code.
- Attend off-hours training, mandatory meetings (e.g., school closure periods).
- Ethical & Professional Conduct :
- Uphold EA’s code of conduct and image.
- Promote equality, safeguarding, and good behaviours under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
📅 Role Flexibility
This role is designed to enable commitment to adapting as needs evolve. Additional duties above the listed', supervisory/supportive will be assigned, provided they align with operational needs.
👁️ Equality & Dignity
="@Protect Equality**: Actively promotes anti-discrimination, fair pay and valued collaboration in line with the Education Authority’s policies.
📎 Employer Information
Terms & Conditions of Employment
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