Chartwells Schools
School School Catering Manager
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Catering Manager (Chartwells) – Compass Group UK&I
Apply if you’re a visionary leader looking to elevate ** Exceptional food experiences** while fostering high-performance teams in the education sector.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Catering Manager with a passion for world-class culinary excellence and unmatched customer service. As our leader, you will oversee Compass Group UK&I’s Chartwells catering and service operations, ensuring schools and educational institutions across the UK receive nutritious, delicious, and inspiring meals every day.
This full-time role (37.5 hours/week, 43.6 weeks/year) operates Monday to Friday (days), combining managerial duties with hands-on oversight to deliver seamless, high-standard service.
Why Join Chartwells?
- Invest in your career with a reputation-building organisation
- Progressive development supported by a people-first culture
- Recognise and reward excellence—beyond the plate
- Shape the future of school-age nutrition and food culture
Chartwells extends its safeguarding commitment to all employees—this role is limited to working with children, conditionally upon successful enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List checks (note:you must disclose all past convictions).
Your Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Ensure smooth functionality of kitchens and service counters
- Lead teams to deliver consistent, high-quality food and service
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Quality & Innovation
- Maintain (and inspire) superior food hygiene, nutrition, and presentation standards
- Identify new menu concepts to boost sales and engagement
- Develop collaboration between customers, culinary teams, and service teams to exceed expectations
Financial & Compliance Management
- Administer budgets and ensure cost-efficient operations
- Monitor KPIs and targets against agreed service level criteria
- Uphold Health & Safety standards, with regular audits and training
Team Development
- Train, support, and motivate culinary and service staff
- Provide leadership from the front to foster a culture of excellence
- Conduct performance reviews and improve team capabilities
Brand Representation
- Act as the public and professional face of Compass Group UK&I and Chartwells
- Reflect the organisation’s values of transparency, integrity, and customer-first focus
Ideal Candidate Profile
You’ll bring a dynamic blend of culinary passion, leadership, and organisational mastery. Specifically, we’re looking for:
✅ 2+ years of proven catering experience, ideally in a team-leadership role ✅ Personal drive to uphold premium food quality and outstanding customer service ✅ Qualified in health, hygiene, and food safety:
- NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 & 2
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate ✅ Strong financial acumen to manage budgets, reduce waste, and optimise supply chains ✅ Leadership & team management expertise: delegating effectively whilst retaining high standards ✅ Ambition to upskill—proactive about fostering further growth opportunities
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Career & Company Values
Chartwells is part of Compass Group UK&I, the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector, serving millions of meals weekly across UK schools, academies, colleges, and universities.
As an employer of choice, Compass Group UK&I is committed to:
� Opponent-Based Development:
- Constructive work culture with a focus on investing in internal talent
- Equal opportunities for career advancement and recognition of achievements
🌱 Community & Accountability:
- Safeguarding responsibility and compliance as a non-negotiable industry standard
- Supporting schools to foster healthy, active lifestyles from an early age
👥 Inclusivity as a core value:
- A workplace that celebrates diversity in culture, skill, and background
- Flexibility, empowerment, and mutual respect—allowing teams to thrive removing barriers
Career EGF opportunities with Compass Group UK&I? Every day, our industry experts combine expertise with vision to redefine dining standards. Your next step toward excelling as Chartwells’ Catering Manager starts now—apply today.
Job Reference: com/0107/G99801/52817828/WJ #StateSchools
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