Key Role Information

Salary
£29,167.00 - £30,934.00 pro rata
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
15/05/2026 11:50
Interview
W/C 18th May 2026
Contract term
TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks
Pay grade
WWF Band E
Department
Catering
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
41.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Are you a chef with experience in a fast-paced commercial or school based kitchen environment, with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal produce? Used to leading teams? Looking for a rewarding career with excellent opportunities and benefits?

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in a similar position, hold a relevant qualification, be passionate about cooking with fresh produce, possess a high level of attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure.

As a Chef Manager you will be responsible for all daily operations in the kitchen, produce menus and new dishes, deal with suppliers and handling of paperwork as well as controlling and directing the food preparation process and training junior members of the team.

Specific duties include:

  • Plan meals within nutritional and dietary guidelines, including portion control. Ensuring meals are cooked and served in a timely manner following safe food hygiene standards. Provide well balanced meals at designated times providing adequate choice.
  • Direct the day to day work of the kitchen team and provide supervision sessions to ensure the function performs to appropriate high standards.
  • Ensure expenditure is kept within authorised budget limits by completing weekly financial returns, stock sheets, periodic stocktaking, timesheets for staff, etc. to ensure KCC’s policies and procedures are adhered to.
  • Ensure correct Health & Safety and food hygiene procedures are adhered to at all times and that defects to equipment and premises are reported appropriately to maintain a safe working environment.
  • Organise and undertake on the job training for new kitchen staff to ensure a high standard of service is maintained.
  • Liaise with outside agencies i.e. Environmental Health Officers and suppliers to ensure high standards of food hygiene and quality of supplies are maintained.
  • Ensure the security of the kitchen and storerooms is maintained at all times to provide a safe working environment.
  • The cooking, serving of meals and cleaning of kitchen area, as appropriate, in order to provide an effective service.
  • To help reduce waste within the kitchen.

We have great benefits, including free parking on-site, discounts and career development opportunities. If you think you’ve got what it takes, and the times above suit you, we’d love to hear from you!

In addition to providing the highest quality of teaching and learning a priority of the school is the safety and welfare of its students. Therefore, all staff undergo enhanced DBS checking and referencing.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews may occur at any stage after applications are received. Please apply as soon as possible.


Benefits

Staff Wellbeing Programme
Free / discounted food and drink
Free staff lunch, tea and coffee, as well as an onsite coffee shop, Hat Hats, with staff discount.
Employee Assistance Programme
Staff Employee assistance Programme, offering a wide range of discounts.
Discounted Gym membership
Reduced staff membership fees for Lifestyle Fitness Gym, located on campus.
Staff surveys and voicing
Supportive approach to absence requests
Range of counselling services

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Health and hygiene awarenessessential
Initiativeessential

Experience

Experience working in a professional kitchenessential
IT Skillsessential
Working in a catering environment

Experience/Knowledge

Maintaining recordsessential

Leadership

Experience of managing and leading a team essential

Personal Attributes

Organised and methodicalessential
The ability to cooperate and support others in a teamessential
Clean and smartessential
Flexibleessential
Reliableessential
Honestessential
Enthusiasticessential

About Us

The Canterbury Campus

Jemma McClean

recruitment@canterbury.kent.sch.uk

The Canterbury Academy
Knight Avenue
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 8QA

Safeguarding Information

The Canterbury Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts. All posts will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our Prevent Duty. A satisfactory DBS disclosure must be presented to the Academy before any employment can commence.

In line with KCSIE guidance, as part of the shortlisting process, The Trust reserves the right to conduct an online search on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence and any relevant information found, concerning a candidate's suitability to work with children, will be discussed at the interview stage.