TSfE Cook Manager

Looking for a term time catering role?

We are looking for a Cook Manager to be based at Furzeham Primary and Nursery School to oversee our in-house catering operation (Thinking Food). The successful candidate will oversee the preparation of meals and the dining hall / catering facilities, food services and the purchasing of food/catering equipment.

The Cook Manager will be responsible for leading and supporting the catering team, maintaining the highest standards of food safety, customer service and operational performance, whilst promoting healthy eating and maximising meal uptake.   They will also ensure that the kitchen is fully compliant within parameters of Health & Safety, Hygiene, Food Safety and policies and procedures at all times.

Together with the Catering Assurance Lead, you will support the delivery of external catering services including to local schools as part of growing Thinking Food. 

Our Cook Manager will ideally have experience in managing similar size operations as they will be responsible for managing food, consumable and cleaning product ordering in accordance with approved suppliers and budget requirements.

We would love to hear from you if you have relevant experience within the catering industry and are looking for a role Monday-Friday, term-time only.

Feeding Students, Fuelling Learning

At Thinking Food, we believe that when we feed students well, we feed their potential. Everything we do is driven by one purpose: to create nutritious, enjoyable, and reliable meals that help every young person learn, focus, and thrive.

Our team understands that great food is more than a meal—it’s fuel for education. From breakfast that kick-starts the day to lunches that help students stay energised and engaged, we support learning by providing food that is fresh, safe, high‑quality, and prepared with care.

We take pride in ensuring every dish meets strong standards for nutrition, safety, inclusion, and consistency, so families and schools know they can trust what we serve. We are continually improving, innovating, and listening to the needs of our students and school communities.

As we grow, we’re looking for passionate people who want to make a real difference—cooks who care about children’s wellbeing, enjoy working in a lively and purposeful environment, and believe that great food helps create great futures.

If you want to be part of a team that feeds students, supports learning, and makes every school day better, you’ll fit right in with us.

Next Steps

If you are interested in working at our Trust, benefitting from a supportive network of colleagues, and are keen to progress your career then please apply today!

Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

If you would like to arrange an informal conversation to discuss the role in more detail, please contact the Recruitment Team ([email protected])

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates, if you have any questions regarding this process, please email [email protected]