Reporting to: Chef Manager
Location: Ark Alexandra Academy
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: 7.30am – 3.45pm Mon to Thurs and 7.30am – 3.30pm Friday (this includes a 30-minute unpaid break) 36 hours per week, term time only plus 2 extra weeks to be worked in the school holidays
Start date: ASAP
Closing date: 11:59pm on 21 April 2025
Salary: Ark Outside London Support Scale 5, points 5 - 12: £24,790 to £27,711 (pro rata)
Actual salary: £22,417.07 - £25,058.47 Pay is spread evenly over 12 months.
The school reserves the right to close this advert early and interviews may take place before the advertised closing date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for this role to avoid disappointment.
The Role
As the Chef Supervisor you will prepare, cook, and present food which meets the school standards and according to the Chef Manager’s direction. You will also be responsible for supervising the catering team and ensure high levels of food preparation and kitchen cleanliness is maintained across all kitchen and dining areas as well as ensuring a high standard of catering service is provided.
Key Responsibilities
Food
• Assist in the planning and preparation of innovative seasonal menus which encourage healthy and nutritional eating habits for students and staff, additionally there may be a requirement to cook for special functions and events (these may involve late working)
• Ensure food is prepared in accordance with relevant regulations and the procedures expected by the Chef Manager
Kitchen Operations
• Deliver excellent standards of customer service
• Plan, organise and monitor controls of food quality, presentation, and service
• Assist with ordering, stock control/stock taking including receiving and checking supplies and safe storage
• Instruct Catering Assistants in food production methods
• Ensure all team members are always working in line with current legislation
• Carry out additional tasks concerned with the operation of the kitchen, as and when required by the Chef Manager
• Deputise for the Chef Manager as and when required
Other
• Actively promotes the safety and welfare of our children and young people
• Ensures compliance with Ark’s data protection rules and procedures
• Work with Ark Central and other academies in the Ark network, to establish good practice throughout the network, offering support where required
This job description is not an exhaustive list, and you will be expected to carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed by your line manager.
Person Specification: Chef Supervisor
Qualifications
• Relevant catering qualification (desirable) or a commitment to working towards
• Health & Hygiene Certificate L3, desirable
• First Aid qualification, desirable
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Experience of catering, ideally within a school
• Experience of cultural diversity, with particular reference to food preparation and dietary preferences, desirable
• Knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition and creating related menus
• Experience leading, coaching and motivating staff, ensuring professional development and effectively challenging and managing any underperformance
• Excellent communication skills with children and adults
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office
Behaviours
• Genuine passion and interest in food and in helping children learn to eat healthily
• A robust awareness of keeping children safe, noticing safeguarding and welfare concerns, and you understand how and when to take appropriate action.
• Belief that every student should have access to an excellent education regardless of background
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to motivate and manage others effectively
• Professional outlook, detailed orientated and able to multitask and meet deadlines
• A team player that can work collaboratively as well as using own initiative
• Calm and professional under pressure
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion
• Flexible attitude towards work and demonstrates sound judgement
Other
• Right to work in the UK
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all students
• Willingness to undertake training
• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.
Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.