Location: Stone Area
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent (Term Time Only)
Salary: £15.50 per hour
Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 38.8 weeks per year)
At Pineapple Recruitment, we are delighted to be working alongside a specialist, independent school catering business born out of a passion for great-tasting food.
Our client isn't just serving lunch, they are all about providing fresh, delicious, and exciting food that brings a healthy dose of fun to the school day! They are a small, independent, Midlands-based company with a genuine family feel. Building strong relationships is key, meaning your well-being, development, and growth opportunities truly matter. They focus on rewarding their teams and recognising hard work to ensure you feel happy and valued every day.
As the Chef Manager, you will take complete financial and operational responsibility for your school's catering facility. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll drive profitability while setting the standard for culinary excellence. You’ll lead from the front, deliver exceptional, creative food, and make every school mealtime fun, exciting, and truly memorable.
You will be responsible for the entire catering operation, skillfully balancing inspirational leadership with sharp commercial acumen:
Operational Leadership: Inspire, manage, and motivate the team to consistently deliver a fantastic dining experience aligned with high company standards.
Culinary Excellence: Lead the preparation of delicious, nutritious, and high-quality meals using set menus, while actively overseeing and driving menu development and innovation.
Team Development: Champion the growth of your unit by leading, coaching, and training all staff in a positive and professional manner, building a resilient, high-performing team.
Commercial Control: Maintain full control over all costs (stock, food, labour). Expertly manage profitability and improve efficiency through rigorous cost control.
Sales & Growth: Drive sales success through exciting monthly promotions and creative added-value events.
Client Relations: Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with clients and customers, acting as the friendly, expert face of the catering team.
Compliance & Audit: Guarantee 100% compliance with all company procedures and statutory legislation (H&S, Hygiene, Allergens), performing regular internal audits.
We are seeking a high-calibre professional who shares our client's passion for great-tasting food and providing exceptional service while maintaining the highest standards:
A natural, positive manager with prior experience effectively managing and motivating a team in a commercial catering setting.
A robust financial understanding of Gross Profit (GP) management, cost control, and a proven track record of achieving sales targets.
Strong, demonstrable craft-based experience using fresh ingredients and maintaining high cooking standards.
Strong, in-depth working knowledge of Health and Safety practices and compliance within a professional kitchen.
An OND or HND qualification, or equivalent management certification, is preferred, though not essential if your hands-on experience is strong.
Amazing Work-Life Balance:
Friendly kitchen environments where you will feel supported and valued.
Monday to Friday working - no more weekends or late nights!
35 hours per week across 38.8 weeks per year based around school term time (giving you more time to spend with friends and family!).
Competitive pay rate of £15.50 per hour.
Your Future Growth:
Work for a fast-growing company that wants you to grow with them.
Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeships and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.
Ready to start a rewarding career with a company that truly values its team? Submit your CV to Pineapple Recruitment today!
(Please note: All staff must share our client's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.)
Contact us about this vacancy
Maddox Francis
07484 9540222
maddox.francis@pineapple-recruitment.co.uk
Pineapple Recruitment are recruiting for this role on behalf of our client and are acting as a Recruitment Agency.
Location Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Salary £15.50 Per Hour
Job Reference REF3094
Contract Type Permanent
Posted on Posted on 15 September 2026
Category Contract Catering