Jewish Care

Unit Catering Manager

The closing date is 28 February 2026

Job summary

We are seeking a dynamic Catering Manager to oversee the dining experience for our Michael Sobell Jewish Community Cafe. This role is perfect for a chef who is not only passionate about cooking but also loves engaging with people and operational management. You will lead a small team to develop and prepare nutritional, seasonal menus that align with Jewish cultural practices while ensuring exceptional customer service and operational efficiency. This post is working Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 3.30 pm with occasional Fridays 8am to 1.30pm weekends. 35 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

What You Will Be Doing You will prepare, cook and present high-quality meals tailored to residents dietary needs, developing menus using the Indicator Menu & Recipe Management System and ensuring full compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. You will engage with residents and families to understand dietary preferences, maintain excellent customer service, and address concerns professionally. You will oversee day-to-day catering operations, manage EPOS and workforce management systems, control stock and invoices, and minimise waste. You will lead, mentor and motivate the catering team, manage rotas, and support training and development. You will also monitor budgets, ensure cost-effectiveness, and produce financial reports to track performance. What You Will Need NVQ Level 2 or 3 (essential), at least five years experience in a busy kitchen, and proven experience managing catering operations, ideally in a care or similar setting. Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, COSHH, infection control, budgeting and waste management is essential. You will have excellent communication, IT and organisational skills, strong customer focus, and the ability to lead teams effectively. Join us to make a meaningful impact as our Unit Catering Manager.

About us

Jewish Care is the largest provider of health and social care services for the Jewish community in the UK. Every week, we touch the lives of 10,000 people. We provide services to a range of people including older people, people with mental health needs and people living with dementia. Our five values are at the heart of the way we work. They drive how we act as individuals and as an organisation and shape our culture. We value Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusivity.

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,152 to £35,152 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VP424804CD

Job locations

Golders Green

NW11 9DQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

We are seeking a dynamic Catering Manager to oversee the dining experience for our Michael Sobell Jewish Community Cafe. This role is perfect for a chef who is not only passionate about cooking but also loves engaging with people and operational management. You will lead a small team to develop and prepare nutritional, seasonal menus that align with Jewish cultural practices while ensuring exceptional customer service and operational efficiency.

This post is working Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 3.30 pm with occasional Fridays 8am to 1.30pm weekends. 35 hours per week.

£35,258 FTE divided by 40 hours FTE multiply by 35 hours = £30,842 per annum £16.90 per hour

What you will be doing:

Culinary Management:

  • Preparing, cooking, and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs.
  • Developing and managing menus using the Indicator Menu & Recipe Management System.
  • Ensuring strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

Client-Facing and Customer Service:

  • Engaging with residents and families to understand and cater to dietary preferences and requirements.
  • Maintaining high levels of customer service, ensuring resident satisfaction.
  • Addressing any concerns or complaints promptly and professionally.

Operational Management:

  • Overseeing day-to-day catering operations, ensuring smooth service delivery.
  • Managing the EPOS system for accurate billing and inventory tracking.
  • Implement and manage the Future Workforce Management System for optimal staff scheduling.
  • Managing stock control, including ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, and reducing wastage.
  • Ensuring efficient processing and management of invoices.

Team Leadership:

  • Leading, mentoring, and motivating the catering team, fostering a positive working environment.
  • Developing staff rotas to ensure adequate coverage and efficient operation.
  • Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for team members.

Financial Management:

  • Monitoring and managing the catering budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial efficiency.
  • Conducting regular financial reporting and analysis to track performance against budget.
What you will need:
  • City of Guilds 706 1 / 2 or equivalent (Desirable)
  • NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields (Essential)
  • Proven experience as a Chef and in managing catering operations, preferably in a care home or similar environment (Essential)
  • At least five years experience in a busy kitchen (Essential)
  • Awareness of COSHH (Essential)
  • Experience working to deadlines and adhering to budgetary requirements (Essential)
  • Takes responsibility for own work and making improvements where possible (Essential)
  • Awareness of waste disposal techniques and infection control (Essential)
  • Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation (Essential)
  • Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of dietary needs and restrictions (Essential)
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
  • IT Literacy with an ability to pick up new systems with ease (Essential)
  • Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills (Essential)
  • Strong client-facing skills with a commitment to excellent customer service (Essential)
  • Proficient in using EPOS systems and other relevant software (Desirable)
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills (Essential)
  • Ability to lead and manage a team effectively (Essential)
  • Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management (Essential)

Join our team and make a meaningful impact in a role that blends culinary expertise with exceptional management and customer service skills. Apply now to be our next Unit Catering Manager!

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are seeking a dynamic Catering Manager to oversee the dining experience for our Michael Sobell Jewish Community Cafe. This role is perfect for a chef who is not only passionate about cooking but also loves engaging with people and operational management. You will lead a small team to develop and prepare nutritional, seasonal menus that align with Jewish cultural practices while ensuring exceptional customer service and operational efficiency.

This post is working Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 3.30 pm with occasional Fridays 8am to 1.30pm weekends. 35 hours per week.

£35,258 FTE divided by 40 hours FTE multiply by 35 hours = £30,842 per annum £16.90 per hour

What you will be doing:

Culinary Management:

  • Preparing, cooking, and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs.
  • Developing and managing menus using the Indicator Menu & Recipe Management System.
  • Ensuring strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

Client-Facing and Customer Service:

  • Engaging with residents and families to understand and cater to dietary preferences and requirements.
  • Maintaining high levels of customer service, ensuring resident satisfaction.
  • Addressing any concerns or complaints promptly and professionally.

Operational Management:

  • Overseeing day-to-day catering operations, ensuring smooth service delivery.
  • Managing the EPOS system for accurate billing and inventory tracking.
  • Implement and manage the Future Workforce Management System for optimal staff scheduling.
  • Managing stock control, including ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, and reducing wastage.
  • Ensuring efficient processing and management of invoices.

Team Leadership:

  • Leading, mentoring, and motivating the catering team, fostering a positive working environment.
  • Developing staff rotas to ensure adequate coverage and efficient operation.
  • Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for team members.

Financial Management:

  • Monitoring and managing the catering budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial efficiency.
  • Conducting regular financial reporting and analysis to track performance against budget.
What you will need:
  • City of Guilds 706 1 / 2 or equivalent (Desirable)
  • NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields (Essential)
  • Proven experience as a Chef and in managing catering operations, preferably in a care home or similar environment (Essential)
  • At least five years experience in a busy kitchen (Essential)
  • Awareness of COSHH (Essential)
  • Experience working to deadlines and adhering to budgetary requirements (Essential)
  • Takes responsibility for own work and making improvements where possible (Essential)
  • Awareness of waste disposal techniques and infection control (Essential)
  • Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation (Essential)
  • Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of dietary needs and restrictions (Essential)
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
  • IT Literacy with an ability to pick up new systems with ease (Essential)
  • Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills (Essential)
  • Strong client-facing skills with a commitment to excellent customer service (Essential)
  • Proficient in using EPOS systems and other relevant software (Desirable)
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills (Essential)
  • Ability to lead and manage a team effectively (Essential)
  • Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management (Essential)

Join our team and make a meaningful impact in a role that blends culinary expertise with exceptional management and customer service skills. Apply now to be our next Unit Catering Manager!

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Jewish Care

Address

Golders Green

NW11 9DQ


Employer's website

https://careers.jewishcare.org/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Jewish Care

Address

Golders Green

NW11 9DQ


Employer's website

https://careers.jewishcare.org/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Darren Martin

VP424804CD.1286@vacancyposter.com

02089222000

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£35,152 to £35,152 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VP424804CD

Job locations

Golders Green

NW11 9DQ


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