Catering Manager
Full Time - Permanent – Term Time + 1 week
SSP22 £39,957pa FTE. Actual £35,204pa.
An Exciting Opportunity to Lead and Grow Our Catering Service!
John Leggott College is seeking an ambitious and driven Catering Manager to lead, develop, and transform our catering provision.
This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a well-established service and develop it into a high-performing, student-focused and commercially successful operation, with the potential to grow into a £1million+ catering provision.
With a brand-new catering space opening within the college, this role offers a rare chance to shape the offer, environment, and experience from the ground up, creating a vibrant social hub that students actively choose to use.
About the Role
As Catering Manager, you will take ownership of both the day-to-day running and the future direction of the college’s catering provision.
This is a highly visible role within the college, where your impact will be felt daily by students and staff. You will lead a dedicated team to deliver a service that is efficient, welcoming, and consistently high in quality, while also shaping a catering offer that reflects the expectations of today’s students.
Beyond operational leadership, the role carries a strong commercial and developmental focus. You will be expected to think strategically about how the service can grow, evolve, and respond to demand, ensuring it remains relevant, competitive, and financially sustainable.
Working alongside senior leaders, you will play a key role in developing the catering provision into a thriving, modern operation, maximising engagement and contributing to the wider student experience across the college.
What You Will Bring
We are looking for more than operational competence, we are seeking someone who can bring energy, ownership, and ambition to the role.
You will already have experience within a catering or hospitality environment, with the confidence to lead a team and maintain high standards. Alongside this, you will demonstrate an instinct for what makes a service successful, understanding how quality, efficiency, and customer experience come together.
Equally important is your ability to think beyond the day-to-day. You will be comfortable identifying opportunities for improvement, bringing forward ideas, and taking a proactive approach to developing both the service and the team.
You will take pride in your work, be visible in your leadership, and approach challenges with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
Why This Role Stands Out
With the introduction of a brand-new catering facility, you will have the opportunity to shape both the physical space and the service it delivers creating an environment that feels modern, welcoming, and central to college life.
For the right individual, this role offers the opportunity to take genuine ownership of a high-profile service and see the impact of your work every day. You will play a key role in shaping a catering provision that not only performs commercially, but also enhances student experience, supports wellbeing, and contributes to a strong sense of community within the college.
There is also a clear opportunity for progression from SSP22 (£39,957pa) to SSP24 (£42,081pa) based on performance and impact, recognising contribution and the successful development of the catering service over time.
We can only shortlist candidates who have completed an application form and submitted the application to [email protected]
If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact the HR Team on 01724 700195 or email [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 9am Thursday 02nd July 2026
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 7th July 2026
John Leggott College has a strong commitment to Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced check by the Enhanced Disclosure clearance through the DBS and other checks may be required.
Pay: £39,957.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
