Food and Menu Coordinator

Location:Mundells, Welwyn Garden City, Hybrid

Salary : £30,169

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Reports to:Executive Chef

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

HCL are leading contract caterers with a focus on school feeding. We have a commitment to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and engaging food experiences for children and staff across our primary schools, secondary schools, and commercial sites. As a Skills and Mobilisation Chef at HCL, you will play a vital role in our training and mobilisation programme, as we delight our customers in Hertfordshire and expand our portfolio across London and the South of England. Your role will be central in promoting HCL with a focus on public sector procurement of school feeding services.

You will develop and implement training courses for employees to meet the needs of the business, including Food Safety and Allergy qualifications to nationally recognised levels. You will support across all sectors in maintaining HCL high expectation of standards, and support the Training & Mobilisation Manager in creating, developing, and delivering professional and practical hands-on training in all sectors, including new business ventures.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Support the Food and Menu Chef in designing and producing menus that are appealing, nutritious and compliant with Food Standards and accreditations.
• Produce and maintain menu timelines, communicating with nutritionists and the supply chain to meet deadlines.
• Proofread and format recipes and enter recipes and menus onto Saffron.
• Manage software systems, ensuring pricing and product lists are up to date for accurate menu costing.
• Produce menu packs for each menu cycle and ensure they are available for Cook's Meetings.
• Produce, send and manage menu surveys, communicating results and responses to stakeholders.
• Co-ordinate theme days, including recipes, menus, menu packs, nutritional information and Cypad uploads.
• Monitor school menu requirements and ensure systems are updated accordingly.
• Send Food Communications to Operations in a timely manner.

This list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Effective administration and proofreading skills.
• Clear and accurate verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of School Food Standards.
• Ability to analyse briefs and deliver required outcomes.
• Strong prioritisation skills and resilience under pressure.
• Strong arithmetic skills for menu costing.
• Ability to seek feedback and consult stakeholders effectively.
• Experience building effective working relationships, both independently and as part of a team.

Skills:

• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work to deadlines.
• Relationship-building skills with colleagues, schools and stakeholders.
• Professional and ethical approach.
• Collaborative working style.
• Access to a vehicle and willingness to travel across Hertfordshire and surrounding counties.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of HACCP, COSHH, Food Safety Management Systems, allergy processes and HCL SOPs.
• Knowledge and experience across all sectors.

IT Skills:

• Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Power BI, Cypad Desktop and Contract Management App.
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

HCL is committed to openness and equality of opportunity in every activity, from the way we employ staff to the way we deliver services. It is a central responsibility of managers and employees of the company to ensure that every individual that we encounter is treated with dignity and respect.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

It will be the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.