Catering Assistant

John Lewis Partnership; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading employee-owned company as a Catering Assistant! You'll ensure excellent customer service in our restaurants and dining rooms, preparing food with care and maintaining high hygiene standards. Enjoy free meals on duty and no split shifts while contributing to our collaborative and respectful environment.

Benefits

Free food in dining rooms on working days

Qualifications

• Ability to work across catering teams.
• High standards in food hygiene and preparation.
• Keen attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth catering service as a team.
• Provide positive customer interactions.
• Maintain hygiene standards and follow safety regulations.

Skills

Flexibility

Passion for food

Attention to detail

Job description

About the role

Our Catering Assistants in our John Lewis shops work in either our customer restaurants or behind-the-scenes in our Partner (employee) dining rooms. You will offer the great customer service we're known for. The role can be fast-paced, but by taking pride in your food preparation and presentation standards, you'll ensure the best catering experience.

You will also support other catering tasks, including stock replenishment and storage of deliveries.

Our Catering Partners enjoy free food in our dining rooms on their working days. Since they are based in our shops, there are no split shifts or late evening work.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as a team to ensure a smooth catering service.
• Provide positive customer and Partner interactions with a friendly and welcoming attitude, acting as an ambassador for the John Lewis brand.
• Follow procedures and instructions in line with the 'Health and Safety at Work Act' and 'Food Safety Act'.
• Ensure stock is replenished and available for customers.
• Reduce food wastage by handling stock with care and due diligence.
• Act promptly and use your initiative to resolve issues.
• Maintain personal hygiene standards.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Flexibility to work across the Catering team and ensure smooth operation.
• Passion for food.
• Keen eye for detail, high standards in food preparation, hygiene, and cleanliness.

Desirable skills/experience

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment.
• Teamwork.
• Great customer service skills.
• Experience working in a kitchen or catering environment.

About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home of John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to the future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We focus on being brilliant at retail, continuously innovating, adapting, and diversifying. We uphold our promise of value, quality, and service in John Lewis and passionately serve food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners, we share ownership and responsibility for our success. We use our voices to contribute, work together through challenges, and treat everyone with kindness and respect.

We foster an environment where everyone can be themselves and thrive, growing both individually and collectively.

As Partners, we make all the difference, and we own it.

Important points to note:

• Some roles may require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks for successful candidates. You will be informed and provided with details during recruitment. Complete vetting documents promptly to avoid delays.
• Vacancies can close early if there is high application volume.
• We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts. Discuss this with the hiring manager during your interview.