The Deputy Head of Catering is the second-in-command within the Catering Department and is responsible for supporting the Head of Catering in the operational delivery of all catering services across The Grange School.

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Description

Reporting To: Head of Catering

Responsible For:

• Catering Assistants
• Food Service Assistants
• Hospitality and Event Catering Teams where applicable
• Supporting the leadership and management of approximately 25 catering staff across all School catering operations.

Purpose of the Role

The Deputy Head of Catering is the second-in-command within the Catering Department and is responsible for supporting the Head of Catering in the operational delivery of all catering services across The Grange School.

The post holder will lead day-to-day catering operations, ensuring consistently high standards of food production, service delivery, cleanliness, customer experience, compliance and staff performance across all catering sites, including the Junior School, Senior School, Sixth Form Centre, Dining Hall, Pavilion and Boathouse.

The Deputy Head of Catering will play a key role in developing and implementing new catering initiatives, supporting hospitality and commercial events, and ensuring the service delivers excellent value, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

In the absence of the Head of Catering, the Deputy Head of Catering will assume operational responsibility for the entire catering service.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Support the Head of Catering in the delivery of all catering services across the School.
• Provide visible day-to-day leadership across all catering locations.
• Ensure all food service operations run efficiently and effectively.
• Monitor food quality, presentation and customer service standards.
• Ensure service areas, kitchens and dining facilities are maintained to exceptional standards.
• Coordinate staffing and operational resources to meet changing requirements.
• Act as Duty Manager for catering operations as required.
• Deputise fully for the Head of Catering during periods of absence.

Food Service Excellence

• Monitor food quality and presentation standards across all locations.
• Ensure menus are delivered consistently and in accordance with agreed specifications.
• Support the introduction of new menu concepts and service innovations.
• Assist in developing improved food offers for:
• Sixth Form students
• Year 10 and 11 kiosk provision
• Hospitality and event catering
• Gather feedback from pupils, staff and visitors and implement service improvements.
• Promote healthy eating and sustainability initiatives.

Commercial and Event Catering

• Support the operational delivery of catering for:
• School events
• Open Days
• Sports fixtures
• Alumni events
• Conferences
• External lettings
• Commercial activities
• Work alongside the Head of Events to ensure hospitality standards exceed client expectations.
• Ensure event catering is delivered efficiently, professionally and profitably.
• Help identify opportunities to improve commercial income generation.

Financial Management

• Support the Head of Catering in the effective management of catering budgets.
• Monitor food costs, labour costs and operational expenditure.
• Assist with ordering, stock management and procurement processes.
• Monitor stock levels and minimise wastage.
• Ensure robust stock control and inventory management systems are maintained.
• Contribute to budget planning and financial reporting.
• Support supplier relationships and value-for-money purchasing decisions.

Compliance and Food Safety

• Ensure all catering operations are fully compliant with:
• Food Safety legislation
• HACCP requirements
• Allergen management regulations
• COSHH
• Health and Safety legislation
• Environmental Health requirements
• Conduct regular inspections and audits.
• Monitor completion of food safety records and compliance documentation.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented when issues are identified.
• Support preparation for external audits and inspections.
• Promote a strong culture of health, safety and food hygiene.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Supervise and support Catering Supervisors and operational teams.
• Assist with recruitment, induction and training of staff.
• Support performance management and staff development processes.
• Deliver ongoing coaching and mentoring.
• Develop effective staff rotas that provide efficient operational cover.
• Promote positive employee engagement and wellbeing.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability and customer service excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents and visitors.
• Respond professionally to customer feedback and service issues.
• Work collaboratively with operational leaders across the School.
• Support departmental communications and service improvement initiatives.

Safeguarding and General Responsibilities

• Fulfil responsibilities in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
• Support equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the School community.
• Comply with all School policies and procedures.
• Undertake any duties commensurate with the grade and responsibility of the post.
• Person Specification
• Qualifications

Essential

• Food Safety qualification at Level 3 or above.
• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• Supervisory or management qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• HACCP qualification.
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
• Relevant hospitality or catering qualification.
• First Aid qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience within a large-scale catering, hospitality or food service environment.
• Experience supervising teams within a catering operation.
• Experience managing food safety and compliance requirements.
• Experience of stock control, ordering and budget monitoring.
• Experience delivering high-quality customer-focused services.
• Experience organising staffing and operational resources.

Desirable

• Experience in an educational or independent school setting.
• Experience supporting multi-site catering operations.
• Experience of hospitality and event catering.
• Experience using catering management and procurement systems.
• Experience supporting service development projects.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Strong understanding of food safety, allergen management and health and safety requirements.
• Excellent organisation and planning skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams.
• Good financial awareness and understanding of catering cost controls.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Competent use of Microsoft Office applications and management systems.

Desirable

• Understanding of educational catering trends.
• Knowledge of commercial hospitality operations.
• Experience analysing operational and performance data.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Enthusiastic and highly motivated.
• Strong team player and collaborative leader.
• Customer-focused and service-driven.
• Professional and approachable.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Calm under pressure.
• Committed to maintaining high standards.
• Positive, proactive and solutions-focused.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Success Measures

Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will have:

• Established themselves as the operational leader of the catering team.
• Supported the successful implementation of the Sixth Form catering enhancements.
• Assisted in the development and launch of the Year 10 and 11 kiosk provision.
• Maintained consistently high standards of food quality and customer service.
• Demonstrated effective cost control and wastage reduction.
• Strengthened compliance and food safety performance across all catering areas.
• Developed positive working relationships across the School community.
• Helped deliver successful hospitality and commercial catering events.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious catering professional seeking to develop into a leadership role, whilst playing a key part in shaping and delivering an exceptional catering experience across The Grange School.