Caterer/Kitchen Supervisor Catering

Ministry of Justice; Wolverhampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is looking for a Catering Manager to oversee kitchen operations in a correctional facility. You'll lead the catering team, ensuring high-quality meals are prepared while supporting offenders in acquiring new skills to help reduce reoffending. The position involves a salary of £39,930 and offers Civil Service benefits including a pension and training opportunities. Hybrid working arrangements may be available.

Benefits

Pension schemes

Training and development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent.
• Working towards or holding relevant vocational qualifications in catering.
• Able to demonstrate team leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the work of offenders in preparing and cooking meals.
• Ensure food is prepared and served in line with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Team leadership experience

Competency in an industrial kitchen environment

Understanding of health, safety, and hygiene regulations

Ability to communicate in English and Welsh

Education

Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering

Level 2 Food hygiene certificate

Level 3 Food hygiene certificate

Relevant vocational qualification at Level 3

Job description

Overview

This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen. As part of the prison's catering team, you'll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities "earn while you learn". Unlike traditional restaurant jobs, you won't have to work late into the evening. You'll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. Plus, you'll play your part in helping them turn their lives around – supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.

Hours & Salary

You will work a 37 hour week and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. You will receive a 20% unsocial hours payment in addition to your basic pay, subject to working these hours. All roles can be open to part‑time and job‑share arrangements subject to the business need/operational requirement. However, you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary.

Hybrid Working

The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for hybrid working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

Behaviours

• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working together
• Leadership

Qualifications & Requirements

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre‑employment checks. Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on "modernised" terms in their current post or onto "unmodernised" MoJ terms if they are on "unmodernised" terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2
• Food hygiene certificate Level 3 (intermediate level)
• Working towards a relevant vocational qualification at Level 3 or already hold formal qualifications in catering e.g. City and Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3
• Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen environment
• Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
• Able to demonstrate team leadership experience
• Able to speak with confidence in English, and if required, Welsh

Security Checks

Level of security checks required: DBS Standard.

Additional Details

Band 4 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £39,930. Band 4 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £39,930.

Annual Leave – The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non‑standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in hours or days. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro‑rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. Bank, public and privilege holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes). These are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment.

Pension – The Civil Service offers two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance – HMPPS encourages flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period.

Training – HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti‑Bullying programmes.

Disability Confident Employer – MoJ is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long‑term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion – The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans.