People leadership and development

• Support the recruitment, induction, supervision, training, and development of kitchen teams across all locations.
• Manage performance fairly and consistently in line with Westward Care procedures, ensuring agreed actions are recorded and followed up.
• Ensure staff supervisions and development reviews are completed within required timescales.
• Monitor staffing levels, vacancies, rota coverage, and agency use, escalating risks and supporting safe, sustainable staffing arrangements.
• Encourage teamwork, accountability, and the sharing of effective practice between homes.

Financial and supplier management

• Oversee food budgets, purchasing, cost control, stock management, and waste reduction without compromising resident choice, nutrition, or food safety.
• Monitor supplier performance, product quality, and value for money, and address concerns through the appropriate management process.
• Use approved recipes, portion controls, and stock systems to support consistent quality and responsible use of resources.

Quality assurance, reporting, and continuous improvement

• Complete regular kitchen inspections, audits, and performance reviews, recording clear actions, owners, and target dates.
• Monitor catering records and compliance information on LOGIT, ensuring entries are complete, accurate, and up to date.
• Follow up overdue or incomplete actions promptly and verify that corrective action is effective before closure.
• Investigate food safety incidents, complaints, and near misses within the agreed process, identify root causes, and implement proportionate corrective action.
• Provide clear catering performance, compliance, and risk updates to management as required.
• Maintain oversight of kitchen equipment condition and contribute to maintenance, replacement, and improvement plans.

Person specification

Essential Qualifications And Experience

• A relevant catering or hospitality qualification at Level 3 or above, or substantial equivalent experience in a senior catering leadership role.
• A recognised food safety qualification appropriate to a senior catering management role.
• At least five years’ professional kitchen experience, including supervisory or management responsibility.
• Experience of leading catering teams in a multi-site, care, healthcare, hospitality, or high-volume environment.
• Practical experience of menu planning, allergen management, stock control, budgeting, and food safety systems.
• Experience of training, supporting, and developing kitchen staff.
• Ability to travel regularly between Westward Care locations in Leeds.

Essential Skills And Attributes

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to set expectations, support teams, and address concerns promptly.
• Good culinary knowledge, creativity, and understanding of nutrition, special diets, and resident-focused catering.
• Clear, confident, and professional communication with residents, colleagues, managers, suppliers, and external officers.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across several locations.
• Commercial awareness, including food cost, stock, waste, and budget management.
• Accurate record-keeping and confidence using electronic compliance systems.
• A practical, calm, and solution-focused approach under pressure.
• Commitment to dignity, choice, equality, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Previous catering experience in adult social care or a healthcare setting.
• Level 4 Food Safety qualification or equivalent.
• Current knowledge and practical experience of IDDSI and dysphagia catering.
• Experience of EHO and CQC inspections or assurance activity.
• Experience of LOGIT or a similar electronic compliance system.

Working arrangements and benefits

• This is a full-time role of 40 hours per week, worked over five days out of seven.
• The rota includes alternate weekends and may include occasional evening and bank holiday work.
• Annual leave entitlement is 32 days per year.
• The normal place of work is Headingley Hall. Where authorized business travel to another Westward Care location is required, mileage may be claimed in accordance with the company’s business travel and expenses policy.

Additional Requirements

• This is a demanding, hands-on leadership role requiring flexibility and the ability to work across multiple locations.
• The postholder must carry out duties safely, follow Westward Care policies and procedures, protect confidential information, and complete any checks required for the role.
• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level for the role.
• The successful applicant must be registered with the DBS Update Service and maintain their subscription throughout their employment.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the role. Responsibilities may be reviewed to reflect service needs, following appropriate discussion and in line with the terms of employment.

About The Role

Employer

Westward Care Ltd

Base

Headingley Hall, with responsibility across all four Westward Care locations

Salary

£40,000 per annum

Hours

40 hours per week, worked over five days out of seven

Weekend working

Alternate weekends, with flexibility for occasional evenings and bank holidays

Reporting line

Group Ancillary Services Manager

About The Company

Westward Care Ltd lives by its core values, and those who join us will be included and encouraged to work within this business ethos.

Company Culture

💙 Our Values in Action

• Kindness — You bring warmth, empathy, and patience to every interaction.
• Respect — You honor each resident’s individuality, choices, and personal history.
• Trust — You build confidence through reliability, honesty, and consistent care.
• Teamwork — You support colleagues, communicate openly, and contribute positively to a shared mission.

Closing Date

Wednesday 14th October, 2026

Contract Type

Full-time

Salary

£40,000.00 Yearly