Catering Assistant

Heriot-Watt University; Kilmarnock; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Flexible shifts

Total rewards calculator access

Job summary

Heriot-Watt University is seeking a Catering Assistant to join our catering team. The role involves delivering a welcoming, high-quality service to students, staff and visitors across university outlets and events.

Shifts are flexible with a 5 day week from 7, and occasional weekend work may be required. The Grade 3 salary is £24,546 per annum, with 28 days annual leave plus building-closed days and holiday entitlements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates ability to communicate in English clearly to follow instructions and assist customers.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a catering environment.
• Good attention to detail and personal hygiene standards.
• Physical capability for standing, bending and lifting as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide and assist with professional, welcoming catering service to students, colleagues and visitors.
• Perform pre-service activities and prep before opening outlets or events.
• Operate tills and accept payments by cash, card or contactless.
• Replenish, clean and service vending machines per procedures.
• Assist with ordering, receiving and stock counting of food deliveries.
• Assist with basic food prep for service and to order items as directed.
• Operate equipment such as soup kettles, coffee machines, ice machines and dishwashers.
• Provide waiting or bar service and assist with buffet service when needed.
• Follow health, hygiene, safety and waste management procedures (EH, COSHH).
• Maintain high personal hygiene and keep uniforms clean and tidy.
• Contribute to front and back of house cleaning as required.
• Other duties as reasonably required and service develops.

Skills

English proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Physical ability

Job description

Description

Role

Catering Assistant.

Grade and Salary

Grade 3: £24,546 per annum (pro rata if part-time).

Holiday Entitlement

28 days annual leave plus 9 building-closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday). Use our total rewards calculator: Total rewards calculator | Heriot-Watt University to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Shifts Available

Hours flexible, 5 days from 7 – All weekly rosters subject to change (occasional weekend work required).

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide and assist with the provision of professional, welcoming, high quality, flexible catering service to students, colleagues and visitors to the University across all areas.
• Preparation and pre-service activities prior to the opening of an outlet or the start of an event.
• Operate the outlet tills – including include taking payments whether cash, credit, contactless or cashless.
• Replenish, clean and service vending machines as trained and per procedures.
• Assist with ordering, receiving and storing food deliveries and stock counting.
• Assist as directed with basic food preparation readying outlets for service, producing prepare to order items – both hot and cold, creation and production of salads, sandwiches, coffees and other items as instructed.
• Preparation, safe operation and cleaning of small items of equipment – to include soup kettles, coffee machines, ice machines, blenders, dishwashers, countertop ovens, toasters etc used daily within the outlets.
• Function Waiting/ service to table, Bar Service, (with relevant training), and assistance with buffet service when required.
• Follow all laid down processes and procedures relating to food preparation, health, hygiene and welfare, temperature checking and waste management. To work within and to be aware of EH, COSHH and Health and Safety Guidelines.
• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and work in a clean and tidy manner. Uniform must be always kept clean & presentable.
• Front and back of house cleaning activities as & when necessary.
• Any other relevant duties which may be required from time to time or as the service develops and adapts which may be reasonably expected of the post holder.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable ability to speak and understand English to follow verbal and written instructions and deal with customer/student queries
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Delivers excellent customer service, with a professional and courteous approach
• Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately
• Good attention to detail
• Sufficient physical ability to carry out the duties of the post, including bending, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within a similar environment
• Experience of operating relevant catering and or cleaning equipment

Eligibility

Where the post holder is in possession of a valid UK Driving License, they will be required to register it with the University Insurance services and drive University Vehicles when required to facilitate the provision of services.

Flexible Working

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/.

Benefits Calculator

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.