Assistant Cook

Serco Group Plc; Coventry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Internal training courses

Wellbeing programmes

Employee discounts

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Serco seeks an Assistant Cook for the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract in Coventry. You will support the Head Cook, prepare nutritious meals, and ensure safety and quality compliance across service delivery. The role emphasises working with diverse colleagues and contributing to a caring, structured catering team.

Applicants should have relevant food safety qualifications and experience in large-scale catering, with a focus on safe food handling and accurate documentation.

Qualifications

• Food safety knowledge and handling of special diets.
• Ability to work in a large catering environment.
• Commitment to high standards of service and safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Cook in preparing varied nutritious menus, including special diets and meals for religious and cultural events.
• Support catering services in line with Home Office and Serco standards.
• Carry out food quality checks before, during and after service.
• Complete catering records to comply with HACCP, COSHH, and policies.
• Maintain food safety, storage and distribution standards.
• Support stock ordering and waste management.

Skills

Food safety

Allergens in catering

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Level 2 Allergens in Catering qualification

Job description

Serco manages the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC). We focus on assisting individuals through the asylum system, ensuring that vulnerable asylum seekers have access to the support they need along with a high standard of accommodation. We are seeking an Assistant Cook in our AASC team, you'll help deliver high-quality catering services that support the wellbeing of service users every day. Working closely with the Head Cook and wider catering team, you'll play an important role in ensuring meals are prepared safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

Our work touches lives, and your work has purpose. By helping provide nutritious meals in a supportive and inclusive environment, you'll contribute to a positive impact on communities while helping us create impactful solutions that support people through their journey. You'll be part of a team built on trust, care and pride, with headroom for people to grow and develop their careers.

What you'll do as an Assistant Cook

• Assist the Head Cook in preparing and cooking varied, nutritious menus, including special diets and meals for religious and cultural events.
• Support the delivery of catering services in line with Home Office and Serco catering standards.
• Carry out food quality checks before, during and after meal service.
• Complete all required catering records and documentation to comply with food hygiene regulations, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations and company policies.
• Help maintain food safety, security, storage and distribution standards across the site.
• Support stock ordering, food waste management, recycling activities and other catering duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Level 3 Food Safety qualification.
• Level 2 Allergens in Catering qualification
• Experience working within a large-scale catering environment, ideally with at least three years in a similar role.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Strong commitment to delivering high standards of service, safety and care.

Desirable

• Level 3 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) qualification is desirable

Location and Salary

Location: Coventry City Centre, CV1

Salary: £28,000 per annum, plus excellent benefits

Schedule: Full time, 40 hours per week, working 12 hour shifts 4 days on 4 days off across Monday – Sunday.

Benefits

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity

Employee Diversity and Inclusion

Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks

• An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements.
• This role also requires BPSS clearance, which involves identity verification, employment history, and criminal record checks to meet government security standards.
• You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.