Area Catering Manager

Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country?  Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make.

Your role in delivering quality and healthy meals to our pupils is integral to ensuring our pupils are ready to learn.

About Star Central

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community.  We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Initially, the role will be based across Eden Girls' School, Waltham Forest and Eden Girls' School, Slough with The Olive School, Hackney coming in later next year.​​​​​​​

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for a talented multi-site Area Catering Manager to provide operational management of all aspects of catering within our 3 London schools.

Working under the instruction and guidance of the Contracts Manager, you will provide a high quality school meals service, excel at exceeding targets and have excellent financial and people management skills, whilst ensuring compliance with all legislation relating to the catering industry.

You will have:

• Possess a City and Guilds 706/1 and 2 or NVQ catering equivalent (Level 1 and 2) and valid Food Hygiene qualification.
• Experience of preparing, cooking and serving food for large numbers, including the ability to scale recipes up and down to suit varying numbers.
• Experience of planning menus, ordering provisions within budget allocation and reconciling budget.
• Experience of supervising staff.
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team and to motivate staff.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 25 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. 

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Find out more

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role.  For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800.​​​​​​​

Key Dates

Closing Date: Sunday, 21 November 2021 at midnight

Interview Date: Week commencing Monday, 29 November 2021

Proposed Start Date: ​​​​​​​To be confirmed.

Application Process

To apply for this vacancy please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.