Job Introduction

Why This Role?

This isn’t just a job. It’s an opportunity to combine your passion for food, leadership, and community impact in a setting that truly matters. As the Catering Manager at Marshlands School, you won’t just manage a kitchen—you’ll lead a dedicated team that fuels the school day for hundreds of students, staff, and visitors.

Working in a school environment offers something special: the chance to contribute to a daily routine that shapes young lives. The atmosphere is dynamic yet supportive, and your leadership will be the cornerstone of a kitchen that runs smoothly, efficiently, and with heart.

What Makes This Role Unique?

Work-life balance you can rely on: Term-time hours mean evenings, weekends, and holidays are yours, including Christmas and public holidays.Teamwork with purpose: Lead and inspire a close-knit kitchen team that thrives on collaboration and mutual support. Your influence extends beyond food — you’re creating an environment where your colleagues grow, learn, and succeed together.Meaningful impact: Every meal served contributes directly to the wellbeing and energy of students and staff, helping them perform at their best.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Overseeing the entire catering operation: from food preparation and stock control to budgeting and cost management.Leading, mentoring, and training your team to maintain the highest standards of service and quality.Designing menus that balance nutrition, variety, and appeal, keeping in mind the tastes and needs of children and adults alike.Conducting regular audits and quality checks to ensure safety and consistency.Managing stock, supplies, and kitchen workflow to optimize efficiency.

What We’re Looking For:

Experience managing food production for large groups (100–1300 individuals).Skilled in following recipes and working with fresh ingredients.Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff.Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.Ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a busy kitchen environment.NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Food Safety and handling preferred.Positive, professional attitude with a natural leadership style.

The Benefits of Being Part of Sodexo & a School Community:

Joining Sodexo means becoming part of a global organization with a local heart. Beyond competitive pay and training, we invest in your wellbeing and growth:

Access to comprehensive mental health and wellbeing resources, including an Employee Assistance Programme for personal and professional support.Health and wellbeing apps, 24-hour virtual GP access, and lifestyle rewards to keep you at your best.Discounts and cashback schemes for you and your loved ones.Financial wellbeing tools, including salary advances and retirement planning.Opportunities to volunteer and give back within your local community.Flexible working conditions that respect your life outside work.Full training and protective uniform provided.

Ready to Lead, Inspire, and Make a Difference?

If you’re passionate about great food, enjoy leading teams, and want to contribute to a vibrant school community, this is your chance. Join us at Marshlands School and be part of something greater — where your work truly matters every day.

Apply today and take the next step in your career with Sodexo.

Package Description

“For a job that’s a perfect mix of passion, perks and potential”

Catering Manager – Join a Team That Feeds More Than Just Hungry Minds

£14.50 per hour | 30 hours per week | Monday to Friday (07:45am–13:45pm) | Term Time Only (39 weeks, paid over 52 weeks)
Location: Marshlands School, Second Avenue, Stafford, ST16 1PS
Full UK Driving Licence require

**Equated pay (sometimes known as spread-over pay) is a method of paying you for your contracted hours, working weeks and holiday pay spread over 12 months instead of just receiving pay during the months that you work and none during the school closures/non-working weeks. This means that you get paid equal amounts of pay every month. Further information will be supplied at interview stage.**

About the Company

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.

Attached documents HR-5933_Benefits UK Brochure V9.pdf Apply