Cook Manager

Job Title: Cook Manager (Spa Nursing Home Group) 

Location: Oakridge Care Home, 14 Magheraknock Road, Ballynahinch

 Salary: £14.50 per hour 

 Hours: 34 hours per week (4 days)

 Closing Date: 22nd August 2025 at 12 noon 

To apply, please complete the application form https://forms.office.com/e/VHBjaUih3j. CVs will not be accepted.  

About Us 

For over twenty years, we have taken great pride in providing exceptional care to our residents. Each person in our homes is valued as an individual and we are committed to fostering a warm, supportive and inclusive community where everyone feels cherished and respected. 

A career in care goes beyond the care team itself—it takes a dedicated support network to ensure our homes run smoothly and remain a safe, welcoming environment. We believe that compassion, understanding and positivity are not only the key traits we look for in our team—but also the values we live by in supporting our employees. 

We are proud of our outstanding team and passionate about developing our people. As an Opening Doors employer with Business in the Community Northern Ireland, we are committed to making our workplaces more inclusive and connecting untapped talent through underrepresented groups. We encourage continuous learning through training, external development opportunities and financial support for further education. 

About the Role 

Oakridge Care Home, located on the Magheraknock Road, Ballynahinch caters for up to 65 residents across 3 units; EMI (Dementia), general nursing & residential.

The Cook Manager leads the kitchen team in delivering nutritious, well-balanced meals tailored to individual dietary requirements. In this hands-on leadership role, you'll oversee all aspects of kitchen operations—from supervising staff rotas to planning seasonal menus that reflect residents' preferences and clinical needs. 

You’ll be responsible for maintaining food safety compliance through accurate record-keeping, managing supplier relationships and ordering stock with a keen eye on budget and best value. You’ll collaborate closely with nursing staff to support residents’ well-being through thoughtful nutrition and help foster a warm, welcoming food experience by championing fresh choices and daily home baking. 

About You 

We’re looking for a confident kitchen leader who is passionate about nutrition, care and creating a welcoming food experience for residents. You should have: 

• Experience in a food preparation/ kitchen environment within a care setting. 
• Strong understanding of dietary needs including IDDSI, allergens, diabetes, etc. 
• Knowledge of food safety practices and compliance requirements 
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate 
• Organisational skills and a proactive, solutions-focused approach 
• Compassion, understanding and positivity as guiding values 
• Eligibility to live and work in the UK, plus medical fitness for the role 
• Availability to work a varied rota Monday – Sunday. 
• An NVQ Qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject is desirable. 

What We Offer  

• A welcoming and inclusive workplace where your contributions are valued.  
• A competitive salary of £14.50 per hour (paid weekly).  
• Training and development opportunities to help you grow in your career.  
• Supportive leadership and a team that cares about your well-being.  

How to Apply  

If you share our commitment to compassionate, inclusive care we would love to hear from you. To apply, please complete the application form https://forms.office.com/e/VHBjaUih3j. To explore opportunities, access interview tips and view job descriptions, visit our website: www.spanursinghomes.co.uk/careers.   

Additional Information  

Interviews may take place via video call.  

This role involves substantial access to vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be offered the position subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI.  Regulated posts will also require a check of the adult barred list.   

Spa Nursing Group is an equal opportunities employer. We wholeheartedly support Equality and Diversity in employment and oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination.