Job Description

Are you an experienced chef or catering manager with a flair for all things culinary and a passion for providing nutritious, delicious and varied meals? Here's some food for thought - why not apply your skills within our older-persons residential care home in Leighton Buzzard?

About the Role:

Care is Central are looking for a new Catering Team Manager to lead our 63 room residential care home catering service providing a variety of nutritious and healthy meals daily to our residents. You will ensure the team provides a flexible and responsive catering service, providing choice and variety as well as catering for specialist dietary and cultural requirements within this role.

You will lead a team of catering assistants including a sous chef to provide a 7-day service within the home from 7am-7pm. You will manage the food stock, menu planning, catering budgets and food safety compliance. You will ensure that the needs and wellbeing of our clients is always at the heart of your team's work.

This post is a 40-hour per week, permanent post.

Key Responsibilities:

Taking overall responsibility for the running of the catering service within the care home, overseeing all aspects of the kitchen and food production and the catering team rota to ensure sufficient staff coverage throughout the week. Ensure that all food is prepared to the highest quality standards and in a timely manner Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as needed, managing food costs and minimising waste Managing a team of kitchen assistants to ensure a high quality catering service, delivering a varied, inventive, nutritious and delicious menu. Supporting the recruitment, induction, training and competency of your team Promoting choice, dignity and variety to our client group, catering for a range of dietary requirements Regularly liaising with our clients to seek feedback on our food service provision and striving for continuous improvement Ensure compliance with Food Safety and Health and Safety regulations, policies and requirements at all times

Requirements for this role to ensure you have the recipe for success:

Proven experience as a Catering Manager/Supervisor/Lead Cook/Head Chef or in a similar role with a recognised qualification Extensive knowledge of food preparation techniques, culinary trends, and food safety regulations and requirements Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a wider team within the care home to meet the nutritional needs and preferences of our residents Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required

We do also need you to:

Be eligible to work in the UK (Please note we

do not

offer Sponsorship) Have strong communication skills in English, both verbal and written A caring nature with a genuine desire to help others improve their quality of life. Undertake an Enhanced DBS check (Paid for by us)

What We Can Offer You - The Icing on the cake if you will!

A supportive, positive and proactive workplace that cares about people and values treating them well Competitive salary of 38,000 per year An employee assistance and wellbeing support service to help in times of need. Multiple platforms to access high street discounts and offer schemes, including a Blue Light Card. Company Sick Pay (Terms Apply) 28 days statutory annual leave

Plus,

an additional 5 day's contractual annual leave

PLUS,

Your Birthday off as paid discretionary leave Paid induction training, including gaining a recognised Care Certificate Opportunity to obtain QCF Diplomas and enhance your career development. Double pay on

Christmas day/Boxing Day/New Year's Day

Free uniform & DBS checks Enrolment in the company pension scheme (But you can opt out if you wish) Plus other employee benefits

Skills and Attributes - Our Values, Your Values:

We need all team members to model our organisational C.A.R.E values of

Compassion, Aspiration, Respect & Empowerment

and actively promote a culture that:

Drives Continuous Improvement:

Encourages innovation, service development and high-quality delivery across all areas.

Delivers with Compassion:

Embeds empathy and person-centred principles in all decision-making and quality assurance.

Champions Person-Led Care:

Embodies and promotes the values of My Home Life and Think Local Act Personal*.

Positive Collaborator:

Actively engages with the wider team to drive growth, work collaboratively, utilise individual skills and strengths, and fosters positive, meaningful and respectful working relations.

Application Process:

If you are interested in applying for this role, please click the apply button and submit a CV which we consider to be your expression of interest. If you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you to discuss the role, arrange an interview and send a link to an application form to you.

If you relish in meeting new people, caring for others and would like to work for a company that supports and celebrates our hard-working staff, then please apply.

Please Note:

Applications are reviewed as received and we may close this position upon finding a suitable candidate. We are not able to contact or provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

To Find Out More About the Role:

If you wish to find out more about this role, please email the Registered Manager, Laura Howlett at

laura.howlett@careiscentral.org.uk

To Find Out More About Care is Central:

To find out more about Care is Central and our vision to be the leading provider of adult social care services in Central Bedfordshire, please visit our website: www.careiscentral.org.uk

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Company pension Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Referral programme Store discount
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 18/08/2025