Job Description

Contract: Education

Location: Wakefield, WF1 4PE

Hours of work: 32.5

Working Pattern: 07:00 - 13:50

Contract Type: Permanent

Hourly Rate: 14.20

Do you have a passion for great food and a desire to make a positive impact on students every day?



We're looking for a dedicated Kitchen Manager to lead a brand-new school kitchen, delivering around 125 high-quality, nutritious meals each day - including 45 transported meals to nearby locations.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Kitchen Manager or a motivated catering professional ready to step up into a leadership role, with full induction and training provided.



Your primary focus will be on delivering excellent food for students, while ensuring kitchen operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently. You'll be responsible for managing kitchen staff, overseeing food production, maintaining safety and hygiene standards, and working to agreed budgets and targets.



As part of a supportive and professional catering team, you'll collaborate with site teams and the Operations Team to drive standards, provide training, and enhance the customer experience. The success of this role relies heavily on positive leadership, a hands-on approach, and your ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, and clients.

The Role

Lead and manage daily kitchen operations in line with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations. Prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals in accordance with menus, dietary needs, and portion guidelines. Ensure food is delivered to the highest standards, with a focus on consistency, quality, and presentation. Manage portion control and reduce waste, while maintaining customer satisfaction. Support and train on-site teams to deliver exceptional service and uphold kitchen standards. Work closely with clients and students to gather feedback, drive improvements, and tailor services. Maintain accurate documentation including risk assessments, food safety records, and stock control. Support budget management, helping ensure the kitchen operates within financial targets and cost controls. Assist with service delivery and site support across the contract, as needed.

About You

Experience as a Kitchen Manager or a strong catering assistant ready to progress with training and support. Advanced understanding of school catering, with excellent food preparation and cooking skills. Confident in leading a team and managing kitchen performance, including staff development. Demonstrates strong knowledge of food hygiene, health & safety, and risk management. Ability to work within budgetary guidelines, with an understanding of profit and loss principles. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for food and customer service. Highly organised, hands-on, and able to engage with staff, students, and clients at all levels.

The Company

ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.




Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it's hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.




We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #ISSGreatPeople #ISSTalent #PeopleMakePlace




ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.




ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.




We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government's Disability Confident scheme.




Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.







To find out more about what we do - https://www.uk.issworld.com/