A little bit about us

Looking for a job that actually makes a difference - and fits into your day-to-day routine?

At The Lunch Bag, we deliver healthy, hot school meals to children across Ireland. We're the country’s leading school meal provider, and we’re on a mission to help kids build healthy habits for life.

We’re changing children’s lives, one lunch at a time! Are you flexible, bubbly, and keen to bring a little extra joy to the school day? We’re looking for people who want to help us keep driving forward and doing something great. Bonus? You’re off when the schools are!

So, what’s the job?

We’re on the hunt for School Meals Workers to join our team on a temporary cover basis – reliable, cheerful folks who take pride in doing things right and bring a bit of warmth to every school day.

This is a part-time, temporary position, ideal for someone looking for work during school hours while helping us keep things running smoothly. The role is to provide cover for a temporary staffing requirement, with the duration dependent on operational needs.

Think of yourself as the final link in the lunch chain – the friendly face everyone sees, and the front-line hero representing us in the school. All meals are prepared in our headquarters in Nenagh, Tipperary, and then delivered to the schools. It’s from there that you’ll take over. Your duties will consist of heating the meals in the oven and then distributing them to classrooms.

If you’re a detail addict and thought this was a little vague, here’s a list for you:

Load pre-packaged school meals into ovens.
Turn on oven and heat meals to specific temperature according to HACCP guidelines.
Unload ovens and distribute lunches to classrooms.
Ensure adequate stock levels.
Follow and maintain work and cleaning schedule.
Maintain temperature and cleaning records.
Restock the fruit bowls in each classroom.
Distribute snacks to classrooms.
HACCP and Manual Handling Training will be provided.

What we’re looking for

Since you’ll be representing The Lunch Bag in schools, we’re looking for doers - people who are sound, good-natured, and genuinely care about doing a good job. Our values matter to us, and to keep improving the lives of children across the country, we need people who share that same goal.

We’re not asking for bodybuilders, but you do need to be able to lift 14kg boxes as part of the job. You may also need to climb some stairs – not every school in Ireland has a lift (just yet)!

Working with children is really rewarding – their cute little faces can brighten your day... just don’t let them get hungry or they’ll turn into tiny monsters! So we’re looking for someone who can work quickly, stay calm under pressure, and still do things properly.

If you’ve worked with kids or food before, great. If not, don’t let it put you off - we value people from all backgrounds and we’ll show you the ropes.

All you need is the ability to read English, follow instructions, and heat each lunch with care.

I still have questions actually…

No problem! We’re here to answer them.

When will I work?

This is a part-time, temporary cover position, Monday through Friday, during the school term.

Is this a permanent position?

This position is being offered on a temporary basis to provide cover for a staffing requirement. The duration of the role will depend on the cover required and will be discussed further during the recruitment process.

Will I have to work all year long?

No! As schools close for the summer, we follow the academic calendar. As a result, you will work during the school term, with school holidays off to enjoy some well-deserved rest!

What benefits do I get by joining The Lunch Bag?

Well, for starters - a decent rate of pay and a genuinely supportive team who’ve got your back.

The role offers part-time hours during the school day, ideal if you're looking for temporary work that fits around your other commitments.

And best of all? You get to be part of a lovely school environment, surrounded by friendly faces (and the occasional tiny comedian in a uniform).

How much is it paid?

It’s THE question everybody is asking! The same way we take care of the children in the schools, we take care of our people. You will earn €14.65 per hour.

Temporary School Meals Worker - Meath

Benefits

Job Description