Catering Assistant

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Exmouth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Aviva Digicare - Free annual health

Employee Assistance Programme

Perks at Work access

Career training & development

Refer-a-friend bonus up to £500

Comprehensive pension & life assurance

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is recruiting a Catering Assistant to join Defence on a full-time basis. You will work 37.5 hours per week, across 5 days from 7, supporting military establishments and government sites with high‑quality catering and service.

We value enthusiasm for excellent customer service, reliability, and teamwork in a busy catering environment, with a strong emphasis on safety and hygiene in every shift at Defence facilities.

Qualifications

• Passion for delivering exceptional customer service and a can-do approach.
• Ability to work well within a team in a busy catering environment.
• Reliability and strong timekeeping to meet service windows.
• Willingness to learn and uphold safety and hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present high-quality food for Defence clients and staff.
• Create attractive food displays and counters to entice customers.
• Represent Defence with a positive brand image at all times.
• Handle cash transactions accurately and operate the till efficiently.
• Maintain high standards of food handling and hygiene.
• Follow Health & Safety regulations and ensure a safe work area.

Skills

Positive attitude

Customer service

Team player

Timekeeping

Job description

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

About The Role

We're currently recruiting a Catering Assistant to join Defence on a full time basis, contracted to 37.5 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7.

What You'll Do

• Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
• Crafting eye-catching food and counter displays that draw customers in
• Proudly representing Defence and embodying our positive brand image
• Handling transactions with ease and operating the cash register efficiently
• Upholding the highest standards of Food Handling & Hygiene
• Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment by adhering to Health & Safety regulations

What We Offer

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check
• Employee Assistance Programme - Mental health support, offering confidential advice and resources to help you navigate personal and professional challenges
• Perks at Work - Access to exclusive benefits and wellbeing resources
• Career training & development opportunities - Including Apprenticeships and Career Pathways
• Earn up to £500 when you refer a friend
• Comprehensive pension scheme and life assurance

About You

• Bring a positive, can-do attitude to everything you do
• Show genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer service
• Be a supportive and collaborative team player
• Stay calm and cheerful when things get busy
• Demonstrate excellent timekeeping and reliability
• Put safety first in every task (experience in catering is a bonus, but your enthusiasm matters most)

Job Reference: com/0411/95510001/52844340/BU #Defence

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!