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Peripatetic Catering Operative

£25,784 - £31,340 pro rataPart TimePermanentNot specifiedAdministration
Posted 15 March 2026Closes 26 March 2026

Job Description

This role is term time, which means that the gross annual salary advertised will be reduced proportionately based on the number of weeks worked during the academic year. Term time employees are contracted to work 38 weeks per year. Please note that the full time equivalent for this position is 37 hours, so roles advertised with contracted hours less than 37 will be classed as part time. The gross annual salary advertised will be reduced based on the part time hours. About the role Do you thrive in a role where every day brings a new setting, new faces and real purpose? If you’re energetic, adaptable and passionate about good food, this could be the perfect role for you. As a Peripatetic Catering Operative, you’ll travel between primary school sites to support teams wherever needed, helping prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals that fuel pupils throughout their school day. Every shift brings something new - from assisting with food preparation and managing dietary needs to helping create a welcoming dining environment where children can enjoy their lunch. This varied and active role is ideal for someone who is flexible, organised and confident working under pressure. You’ll play a vital part in maintaining hygiene standards, adapting to different school routines and responding to the needs of each site. It’s a practical, hands-on position where your reliability and professionalism will be highly valued. A workplace that invests in you ✔ A competitive salary that increases each 12 months until you reach the salary maximum. ✔ Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, the IOM Public Service offers two pension arrangements: the Isle of Man Government Unified Scheme 2011 or the Isle of Man Government Defined Contribution (DC) Arrangement. ✔ Access to the Learning, Education and Development training facility, which is exclusively for Public Service employees, to keep on top of your continuous professional development. ✔ Discounted access to the NSC gym and island swimming pools as well as 1-to-1 support programmes and exercise classes with qualified instructors. ✔ Free access to the Isle of Man Government Staff Welfare Service which offers professional counselling, emotional support and signposting on a wide range of issues. ✔ Ability to apply for an unpaid career break after 3 years’ service. ✔ Access to the Isle of Man Public Service Cycle to Work scheme after your first year of employment. ✔ Free car parking. Working for the Isle of Man Public Service We are the largest employer on the island delivering a diverse range of services to the people of the Isle of Man. We care, nurture and value our employees’ wellbeing, development and career and place great importance on rewarding the commitment by our wonderful employees. We support and promote flexible working, recognising the importance of working flexibly around your life and commitments and the benefits in improving work-life balance. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements where possible and if interested you should discuss this with the Recruiting Manager. The Isle of Man Public Service is committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion. We understand how a wide range of views and experiences can benefit us as we work together for the Isle of Man. Your candidate experience is important to us. As a proud member of The Circle Back Initiative, we commit to respond to every applicant that applies for an Isle of Man Public Service role. We are committed to net zero by 2050 and as an entire nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, we are transforming public services for a sustainable future and your contributions will directly benefit our community, economy, and environment. Things to note An enhanced with barring police check is required for this post, the cost of which will be covered by the Isle of Man Government. Please note a relocation package is not available for this role. Ready to apply? We understand that you might have some questions about the role and the Recruiting Manager is on hand to support you. You can contact them at lisa.perrie2@gov.im. To get the best out of your application, read our article on the important essentials you need to know before applying. Applications will be accepted up to midnight of the closing date specified. If you have difficulties applying online, please contact us on 01624 685000 or by email at helpmeapply@gov.im.

Automation Risk

Automation probabilityi55%
AI exposure (AIOE)i42%

Many tasks in this role are routine and could be partially automated, such as cleaning and temperature logging, raising the automation risk to a medium level. However, the need for physical presence, adaptability to new environments, and direct interaction with children and staff means a significant portion of the role resists full automation. AI tools can assist with compliance, inventory, and recipe management, but core duties remain hands-on.

Task analysis

  • Travel between multiple primary school sites to support catering teams as needed.
  • Prepare, cook, and serve nutritious meals for pupils, including accommodating dietary needs.
  • Maintain high standards of hygiene by cleaning work areas, equipment, and utensils.
  • Adapt to different school routines and respond to the unique needs of each site.
  • Manage and record food temperatures and storage to ensure safety compliance.
  • Interact with children and staff to create a welcoming dining environment.
  • Assist with inventory management, including ordering and storing food supplies.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety and health regulations.
  • Support the kitchen team during busy periods and coordinate tasks efficiently.

Automatable AI-assisted Human-only

Occupational Classification

✨ Bright Outlook🇬🇧 UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligible
UK SOC2020: 9272Kitchen and catering assistants
O*NET: 35-2021.00 Food Preparation Workers
AI analysis: 16 March 2026

UK Salary Benchmark

Office administrative, office support and other business support activities · ONS ASHE 2024 annual earnings

scale £50k
This vacancy
£25,784⚠ below median
UK sector median
£34,855
UK sector mean
£49,618
£0£13k£25k£38k

👤 For Candidates

AI & future-of-work guidance

🤖 Enhance with AI

  • Use mobile apps for digital temperature logging
  • Adopt inventory tools to track stock efficiently
  • Leverage online allergen and recipe databases

📈 Disruption outlook

12%1 yr
28%5 yrs
55%10 yrs

% risk of significant disruption

🎓 Learn now

📚 For full-time, part-time & evening courses on the Isle of Man, visit University College Isle of Man (UCM)

🏢 For Employers

Strategic hiring options & technology alternatives

🔄 Alternatives

💻 TechnologySmart Kitchen Sensors

Automate temperature and hygiene monitoring tasks

🤖 AI AgentAI Inventory Assistant

Streamline ordering and stock control digitally

Recommendation

Augment role

Physical presence and adaptability resist full automation; augment routine compliance tasks

Microsoft Copilot & M365

Power Automate

Automate temperature and hygiene record-keeping

Copilot for Excel

Simplify inventory and stock tracking

Microsoft Teams

Coordinate schedules and site assignments

Key Skills

Food ProductionAdvancedCleaningAdvancedAttention to DetailIntermediateTime ManagementIntermediateTeamworkIntermediateHealth and SafetyAdvancedCustomer and Personal ServiceIntermediateManual HandlingIntermediateDrivingIntermediateDietary Needs ManagementIntermediate

Knowledge Areas

Food Preparation and NutritionHealth and Safety ProceduresCustomer Relationship ManagementCleaning and Sanitation StandardsRegulatory ComplianceOffice AdministrationTeam Leadership and Collaboration

O*NET Competency Skills

Active ListeningService OrientationTime Management

Alternative Career Paths

School Catering Supervisor85% match

Oversee catering operations within a single school, managing staff and compliance.

Facilities Assistant70% match

Support the maintenance and operations of school facilities, including cleaning and logistics.

Healthcare Catering Assistant75% match

Prepare and serve meals in healthcare settings, focusing on dietary needs and hygiene.

Food Safety Auditor65% match

Inspect and audit food preparation sites for compliance with hygiene and safety regulations.

Also Consider

🔥 Hot Technologies

In-demand tools for this occupation (O*NET)

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office software

Work Activities

General work activities from O*NET

  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Training and Teaching Others
  • Coaching and Developing Others
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Anthropic Economic Index

Real-world AI adoption data from millions of Claude conversations · Dataset ↗

CC-BY Research

Observed Claude Usage

0%

of conversations

Classic Auto. Risk

87%

Frey & Osborne

Job Zone

1/5

Little prep

O*NET Median Salary

£19k

US ref. $24k · fx 0.79

Occupational family: Food Preparation and Serving Related

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