Post: Kitchen Manager

Location: ACE Tiverton School, Orchard Way, Tiverton, EX16 5HB

FTE Salary Range: NJC Grade E Pt 15 – 20; £30,024 - £32,597

Actual Salary Range: £21,663 - £29,008 (Pro Rata)

Contract Type: Permanent, part time, term time only (39 weeks per year)

Contract Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday

About the role

As Kitchen Manager, you will take responsibility for the smooth and safe running of the school kitchen. You will lead a small catering team, plan and deliver balanced menus, manage budgets and stock, and ensure full compliance with food safety, health and safety, and hygiene regulations. You will play a key role in creating a positive dining experience for our students and staff.

Key responsibilities

• Managing and overseeing the daily operation of the school canteen
• Leading, supervising and supporting a small team of catering staff
• Planning weekly menus in line with national nutritional standards
• Preparing, cooking and serving food to a high standard
• Managing dining service and maintaining a welcoming dining environment
• Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations (HACCP, COSHH, Health & Safety at Work)
• Managing the catering budget, stock control, ordering and deliveries
• Catering for meetings, CPD sessions and special events as required
• Supporting staff training, induction and development
• Meeting special dietary requirements where necessary

About the successful candidate

You will be organised, proactive and confident working in a fast‑paced environment. You’ll be comfortable making decisions, leading a team, and maintaining high standards under pressure.

Essential requirements:

• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to work towards this)
• First Aid Certificate (or willingness to undertake training)
• Proven experience in a similar catering or kitchen management role
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Strong communication, organisation and IT skills
• Ability to work on your own initiative and manage competing demands

About the School

ACE Tiverton is a specialist 11–16 school supporting autistic students and those with associated social, emotional and mental health needs. We are a warm, inclusive learning community built on mutual respect, high aspirations and unconditional positive regard. Our staff work closely together to create a calm, supportive environment where every young person – and every member of staff – is valued, supported and able to thrive. Joining ACE Tiverton means being part of a team that truly believes every day is a fresh start and every individual matters.

For additional information about ACE Tiverton and Reach South Academy Trust, please view our applicant pack using the following link - Ace Tiverton Applicant Pack

About the Trust

Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the Southwest of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education.  We operate 20 academies in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows.

Our core business is delivering exceptional education for children and young people with a mission to help all pupils aspire to achieve beyond the expectations that others put on them.  We do this through the development of a talented and committed workforce. In order to deliver exceptional opportunities for learning, we need highly motivated staff across all parts of the organisation. 

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.

Closing date: for applications is 16^th May 2026

Interview Date:  Interviews are provisionally booked for week commencing 1^st June 2026

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits. 

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.