Catering Manager

The School

The Pilgrims’ School is a leading, selective day and boarding boys’ prep and double choir school in a beautiful and historic ‘city meets country’ setting in Winchester. It is a vibrant, lively school where boys aged 4 to 13 are encouraged to find their passions and nurture them, whether that be in the classroom, science lab, music room, art room, sports fields, at Forest School or beyond.

Nestled between Winchester Cathedral, Winchester College, and Wolvesey Palace, the School occupies a superb site in the historic Cathedral Close. We enjoy the use of the picturesque Wolvesey playing fields and the sporting facilities of Winchester College. With our Choral foundations, the School encourages musical achievement in all its pupils but also excels in academic endeavour, sport and the arts. We enjoy an enviable local and national reputation.

For a flavour of the School and further information about us, please visit our website at www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk.

Purpose of the Role

To deliver a first-class food service and equally high standard of catering provision to pupils, staff and occasionally parents and guests, ensuring that the Catering Department creates a selling point for the School. Leadership by personal example, enthusiasm, and commitment are key requirements in this role.

Key Tasks

• To manage the Catering team and deliver a first-class level of service to pupils and staff in the delivery of all meals: breakfast, lunch and supper
• To work with the Director of Finance and Resources and the Director of Operations to ensure that best industry practice is adopted in full across the Department and to bring about change, development and departmental efficiency
• To assist the Director of Finance and Resources with the preparation of annual budgets and the financial management and control of the Catering Department, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
• To ensure that the outputs are innovative and challenge the skills of the team members
• To liaise with the customer base, ensuring satisfaction levels are exceeded
• To ensure a comprehensive, annual training plan for all catering staff is in place and implemented
• To manage special dietary requirements for pupils and staff
• To measure effectiveness of each member of the Catering team through appraisal
• To ensure the School’s disciplinary policy is implemented in full and to take corrective action when necessary
• To ensure that the School’s Health and Safety policy is implemented in full, including attendance and participation in the termly Health and Safety meetings
• To coordinate all internal and external requests for food, beverages and hospitality, ensuring that best value for money is achieved
• To plan and deliver a high-quality service for all events and functions hosted by the School which require catering
• To ensure the Department is correctly resourced for the tasks to be completed

Budget Responsibilities

Responsible for departmental budgeting, expenditure and reporting.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Responsible for compliance with all Health and Safety, Food Safety and associated legislation (both current and future) and for the planning, training, implementation and monitoring of standards.

Hours of Work

The School’s academic year is approximately 36 weeks (three terms of roughly 12 weeks each). In addition, the Catering Manager will be required to work an additional one week of ‘Choir Time’ each term to provide catering for Choristers, which will include service on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, and also to support other events and functions during the holidays. The working year will be approximately 40 weeks.

Individual Qualities

A professionally qualified, experienced manager with the ability to think both strategically and tactically. Leading by example, this individual will have high professional standards and enthusiasm for the industry, understanding the requirement for flexible working patterns, which will include Saturdays, Sundays and evening work.

Annual Salary

Circa £33,000 per annum (based on approximately 40 working weeks, with paid holiday of four weeks plus Bank Holidays included in this figure).

How to Apply

To apply, please visit www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/vacancies, where you will find an application pack, along with further information about the school. Please email your application form and covering letter to: recruit@pilgrims-school.co.uk.

Closing date: Noon on Monday 12 June 2023

Interview date: w/c 19 June 2023

Recruitment Policy

The Pilgrims’ School is committed to providing the best possible care and education for its pupils and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The School is also committed to providing a supportive and flexible working environment for its entire staff. The School recognises that in order to achieve these aims, it is of fundamental importance to attract, recruit, and retain employees of the highest calibre who share this commitment.

The aims of the School’s recruitment policy are as follows:

• To ensure the best possible staff are recruited on the basis of merit, ability, and suitability for the position
• To ensure that all job applicants are considered equitably and consistently
• To ensure that no job applicant is treated unfairly on any grounds
• To ensure compliance with all relevant recommendations and guidance, including the recommendations of the DfE in Keeping Children Safe in Education and the code of practice published by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• To ensure that the School meets its commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people by carrying out all necessary pre-employment checks

Candidates are encouraged to review the School’s full Recruitment Policy and Safeguarding Policy, both of which are available to download from the school website.

This position description will not form part of the contract of employment. If the job is offered, a draft contract of employment, including salary and leave terms, and a full and detailed job description, will be provided for agreement.