£33,530 Pro Rata | 42 Weeks Per Year | 10 Weeks Off | Monday to Friday | Social Hours 7am-3pm.
Area Support Manager – School Catering Operations
Location: Cheshire (Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent & Surrounding Areas)
Salary: £33,530 Pro Rata (42 Weeks Per Year)
Hours: 38–40 Hours Per Week, Monday to Friday
KSB Recruitment is delighted to be working with a successful and growing contract catering provider to recruit an experienced Area Support Manager to support catering operations across a portfolio of schools throughout Cheshire and the surrounding areas.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced catering professional seeking excellent work-life balance, school-friendly working hours, and the chance to join a supportive organisation that is passionate about fresh food, people development, and delivering high-quality catering services.
The Role
As Area Support Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the operational management team to ensure the smooth and successful delivery of catering services across multiple education sites.
This varied and rewarding position combines operational support, team leadership, training, and hands-on catering responsibilities. You will provide cover for Catering Managers when required, support site teams, maintain service standards, and help develop colleagues across the business.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the operational management team across multiple school sites
- Providing cover for Catering Manager absences when required
- Delivering hands-on cooking support and kitchen leadership
- Conducting regular site visits to ensure service excellence
- Supporting the training and development of catering teams
- Assisting with food safety, compliance, and operational procedures
- Leading and supporting a small mobile team
- Building positive relationships with school stakeholders and site teams
- Travelling between sites as required, with mileage paid from home
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- A minimum of 2–3 years' experience in a catering supervisory, support, or management role
- Experience within education catering, contract catering, or a multi-site environment
- Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
- A proactive and self-motivated approach
- The confidence to make decisions and support teams effectively
- A flexible, hands-on attitude with a willingness to lead from the front
- Food Preparation qualifications such as NVQ or City & Guilds Level 1 or 2 (preferred)
What's on Offer?
- £33,530 Pro Rata Salary
- 42 weeks working per year with 10 weeks off
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- School-friendly social hours between 7:00am and 2:30pm/3:00pm
- Mileage paid at 45p per mile
- Excellent work-life balance
- Supportive and collaborative culture
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Opportunity to join a growing business with strong values and a people-first approach
Additional Information
- Enhanced DBS clearance is required
- Successful applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding checks
- Flexibility to travel across Cheshire and surrounding areas is essential
- Additional hours for occasional events are generally compensated with time off in lieu
Interested?
For more information, contact Grace at KSB Recruitment on 07377 802621 or email your CV to grace@ksbrecruitment.co.uk.
INDMAN