Area Catering Officer

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage. Organisation

Kirklees

Directorate

Public Health and Corporate Resources

Service Area

Culture & Visitor Economy

Hours

Number of Jobs

Location(s)

Huddersfield and surrounding areas

Position type

Permanent

Grade

Grade 9

Salary

£34,434- £37,280

Are you a catering or hospitality professional ready for a career with purpose, stability, and room to grow?

Join Kirklees Catering Service and take your skills to the next level—leading teams, shaping services, and making a real difference by feeding thousands of children across Kirklees every single day.

This is more than a job. It’s a chance to:

• Step into a leadership role with regular hours and no late nights
• Drive business development and innovation in school catering
• Be part of a service that supports children’s health, wellbeing, and learning

What’s in it for You?

• Hybrid working: Enjoy flexibility with time at home, in our Huddersfield office, and out in schools across your area
• Stable hours and a generous annual leave package
• No split shifts or weekend work
• Lead a multi-site operation with real impact and visibility
• Make a meaningful impact by feeding children across Kirklees

About the Role

You’ll be a key player in our catering leadership team, responsible for:

• Leading and inspiring high-performing school catering teams
• Ensuring top-quality service delivery across multiple sites
• Building strong relationships with schools, academy trusts, and council colleagues
• Driving growth and increasing meal uptake through smart marketing strategies
• Managing budgets and resources effectively
• Supporting staff development and performance
• Bringing fresh ideas to improve service and customer experience

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone with:

• Experience in large-scale, multi-site catering or hospitality
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building skills
• Strong budgeting and financial analysis capabilities
• Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate and Level 3 Allergen Management (or willingness to train)
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
• Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS check

Our Values

We’re proud to be:

• Positive and respectful
• Honest and communicative
• Flexible and supportive

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re looking for a role where your catering or hospitality experience can have a lasting impact—and where your leadership can help shape the future— we’d love to hear from you.

Beverly Swift is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.

This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level, please refer to the Job Description/Profile. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email: ***email_hidden*** or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We encourage you to read our AI Guidance before submitting your application to ensure your supporting statements reflect your own authentic experience.

Closing date

21 June 2026, 11:55 PM