Backshift Cook

Manchester Arndale; Prestwick; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is inviting applications for a dedicated Chef to join our Catering team at a prestigious client site. The role focuses on delivering high-quality food and drink services, with a Monday–Wednesday, 2pm–7pm shift pattern and duties that include cooking, service, and stock management.

The ideal candidate has health and safety knowledge, customer service skills, and a real passion for food. Right to work in the UK is required; food handling certification is preferred or obtainable

Qualifications

• Must have right to work in the UK.
• Ideally, you will have your food handling certificate.
• Background in contract catering would be ideal but not essential.
• Ideally City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery.
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety and food safety.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills with clients and customers.
• A real passion for food and service, with the ability to prepare and cook good quality seasonal food.

Responsibilities

• Ensure food quality and taste are of the highest standard.
• Serve customers and handle cash.
• Manage inventory of stock and order raw materials.
• Control budgets and minimise wastage.
• Maintain health and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Prepare and cook for clients and customers.
• Support the site in the absence of the Head Chef.

Skills

Food safety

Customer service

Communication

Time management

Cash handling

Education

City & Guilds 706/1

City & Guilds 706/2

Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery

Job description

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer : Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning : The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth : 600+ live learners across UK/I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay : Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About The Role:

Shift Pattern:Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday2pm-7pm

We are currently recruiting for a dedicated and driven Chef to join our Catering team. This role will be based at our prestigious client site.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering our outstanding food and drink offering to our clients and site visitors.

As part of your role, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring food quality and taste are of the highest standard
• Serving customers and cash handling
• Managing inventory of stock and ordering raw materials
• Controlling budgets and minimising wastage
• Maintaining health and hygiene in the kitchen
• Prepare and cook for clients and customers
• Supporting the site in the absence of the Head Chef

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Must have right to work in the UK
• Ideally, you will have your food handling certificate – but don’t worry if you don’t, we can help you achieve this!
• A background in contract catering would be ideal but not essential
• Ideally City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or level 2 diploma in Professional Cookery (or equivalent), but we are happy to talk to those also qualifying for their professional qualifications
• Excellent knowledge of health and safety and food safety
• Excellent communication and customer service skills as you will be interacting with the customer base and onsite clients
• A real passion for food and service, with the ability to prepare and cook good quality seasonal food

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.