Catering Manager – NICS, Bangor

Location: Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre, Bangor
Pay Rate: Approx. £17.43 per hour
Allowance: Secure Unit Allowance of £725 per year, paid pro rata monthly from the start date
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Temporary Agency Assignment
Start Date: 19 October 2026
Expected End Date: 31 March 2027

JDR Recruitment is recruiting a Catering Manager for a temporary assignment with NICS, supporting the Youth Justice Agency at Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangor.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced catering professional to lead a kitchen team and help deliver a safe, nutritious and high-quality catering service for young people.

The Role

Key duties will include:

• Managing the catering team and setting objectives for the day-to-day running of the kitchen.

• Organising staff rotas to maintain adequate cover and continuity of service.

• Ensuring the catering team follows Woodlands Standard Operating Procedures.

• Designing menus that meet young people’s nutritional needs, including medical, religious and ethnic dietary requirements.

• Maintaining a safe and healthy environment for meal preparation and service.

• Ordering, authorising and receipting purchase orders using Account NI, and resolving associated queries.

• Checking deliveries and addressing poor-quality produce, incorrect orders and shortages with suppliers.

• Managing the annual catering budget and ensuring purchases comply with procurement requirements.

• Attending monthly budget meetings and reporting on expenditure, financial pressures and available savings.

• Undertaking other duties as required.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery, City & Guilds 705 and 706, or an equivalent qualification.

• A current Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification.

Essential Experience

Applicants must have:

• A minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience working as a cook in a professional capacity.

Working Pattern

The normal working pattern is Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm, totalling 37 hours per week.

Occasional weekend working may be required to cover gaps in the rota and meet business needs.

The assignment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and Basic security clearance.

Interested? Apply with an up-to-date CV clearly demonstrating your relevant qualifications and professional cooking experience.

JDRBelfast