Catering Unit Manager - Lobley Hill Primary School

Salary £26,824 - £28,142 pro rata to hours and term time working, actual Salary £18,784 - £20,065. Salary amounts quoted are from the 1 September to 31 August and therefore if you commence employment part way through the academic year they are subject to an equated salary adjustment

Who we are & what we stand for

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Lead with passion. Serve with pride. Make every mealtime count

You’ll be joining a dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking catering team committed to delivering high-quality meals and a positive dining experience for children. Serving around 200–220 pupils daily, the team plays a vital role in school life—supporting healthy choices, engaging with the school community, and continuously developing the service. Collaboration, pride in standards, and a passion for customer care sit at the heart of everything the team does

Shaping healthy futures—one meal at a time.
What you will get to do

• Lead, supervise and support a small catering team to deliver a high-quality two-course mid-day meal service
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, service, ordering, stock control, and storage within budget
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and HACCP systems and standards
• Manage kitchen and dining cleanliness to the highest standards
• Plan staff rotas, allocate duties, and support training, development, and safe working practices
• Monitor and manage food and labour costs effectively within set budgets
• Work collaboratively to develop and improve the service, increasing meal uptake
• Deliver excellent customer care and build strong relationships with pupils, parents, and school stakeholders
• Participate in promotional activities such as parents’ evenings, events, and themed days
• Ensure dietary, allergen, and medical requirements are handled safely and in line with policy
• Respond to feedback, complaints, and service requests promptly and professionally
• Contribute to menu development and continuous service improvement

Inspire, develop and deliver excellence in school catering

What you will bring

Strong knowledge of food safety and health & safety legislation with relevant Level 2 qualifications (Food Safety, H&S, Allergen Awareness, Professional Cookery or equivalent)
Experience delivering high-quality catering services in a similar environment, ideally within schools or large-scale catering
Proven ability to lead, motivate and manage a team effectively
Excellent communication and organisational skills with a customer-focused approach
Ability to manage budgets, control costs, and maintain service standards
Flexible, proactive approach with a commitment to continuous improvement
Strong teamwork skills with the ability to build positive relationships across a diverse school community

What’s in it for you

• Competitive Salary : We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme : We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides:
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme : Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice : Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

How to apply

You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.

We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.

If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.