Catering Operations Manager - Bath/Radstock and Midsomer Norton

Job Opportunity: Catering Operations Manager - Bath/Radstock and Midsomer Norton

Start Date: ASAP

Reporting to: Head of Catering

Hours: 37 hours per week, term time only plus 5 inset days

Salary: Grade 8, Scale point 27 - 31 (Full time equivalent £39,481 - £43,143) Actual Salary £33,921 - £37,072

The Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership is seeking an experienced and passionate Catering Operations Manager to support the delivery of high-quality, nutritious school meals as we expand our management team across the Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking Multi Academy Trust that places children, wellbeing, and community at the heart of everything we do. The role sits within a wider Trust catering structure led by the Head of Catering, who has overall strategic responsibility for catering across the Trust. Working closely with the Head of Catering, you will help manage operations across our schools, ensuring excellent food quality, strong hygiene standards, and a positive dining experience for pupils and staff alike.

The role is based across Bath, Midsomer Norton, and Radstock, with regular travel between Trust schools. You will work alongside another Catering Operations Manager (who supports our South Somerset schools) and our Trust Development/Relief Chef, forming part of a collaborative and supportive catering leadership team under the direction of the Head of Catering.

About Us

Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership is a thriving and ambitious Multi Academy Trust with schools across Bath and North East Somerset and Somerset. We are committed to delivering exceptional education and support services that enable every child to flourish. Our catering teams play an important role in school life by providing nutritious, high-quality meals that support student wellbeing, learning and healthy lifestyles.

We are proud of our collaborative culture and commitment to continuous improvement, investing in our people and encouraging innovation across all areas of the Trust.

About the Role

As Catering Operations Manager, you will support the Head of Catering in developing and delivering high-quality catering operations across the Trust’s schools. You will work directly with kitchen teams to ensure menus are delivered to a consistently high standard, staff are well trained and supported, and all kitchens maintain excellent food safety and hygiene practices.

This is a varied, hands-on role that combines operational management, training, compliance, business development and staff leadership.

Key responsibilities include:

Supporting the Head of Catering in the development and delivery of nutritious and cost-effective menus across Trust schools

Training and supporting kitchen teams in food preparation, presentation and portion control

Preparing recipe specifications and supporting menu consistency

Monitoring HACCP and COSHH compliance across all kitchens

Supporting the development of hospitality and function catering for internal and external events

Providing operational kitchen cover where required, including occasional working as a chef to support school kitchens during periods of staff absence or operational need.

Providing operational kitchen cover where required and coordinating staffing support across sites

Helping to maintain high culinary standards and excellent customer service across all schools

Deputising for the Head of Catering when required

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a motivated and experienced catering professional who can build strong relationships, lead by example and support teams across multiple sites.

The successful candidate will have:

Experience in a commercial or large-scale catering environment

Strong leadership and team management skills

Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and HACCP procedures

Experience delivering high-quality catering services in a customer-focused environment

Good organisational and communication skills

A flexible and proactive approach

A full driving licence and access to their own vehicle

Qualifications such as Food Safety Level 3, catering NVQs or equivalent professional catering qualifications would be advantageous.

There are many advantages to working for us. Included in your actual annual salary is a generous annual leave entitlement, which should be taken during school holiday periods, access to a local government pension scheme, sick pay scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, free eye tests and an employee assistance helpline. Support staff in schools can also benefit from a range of national discount schemes available to education professionals, such as the Blue Light Card, offering savings on shopping, travel and leisure.

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Pay: £33,921.00-£37,072.00 per year

Benefits

* Company pension

Work Location: On the road