Catering Assistant

MEA Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Pension Contribution

Annual leave

Cyclescheme

Employee assistance

Job summary

MEA Ltd invites applications for a part-time Catering Assistant at MEA Central. The role involves helping to prepare, serve and present meals in a busy school catering service, with a 20-hour week (10:30am–2:30pm), term-time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £12,787, with a full-time equivalent of £26,016.

Start date to be confirmed after pre-employment checks. The post requires food preparation and service, setting up meals, hygiene compliance, and excellent customer service to

Qualifications

• Has experience in food preparation and service, preferably in school or catering.
• Reliable, enthusiastic and a great team player with good communication.
• Demonstrates high hygiene standards and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food, make sandwiches and operate tills.
• Set up and serve meals to students and staff.
• Clean kitchen equipment and dining areas, ensuring hygiene.

Skills

Food prep

Customer service

Team player

Hygiene standards

Job description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Catering Assistant to join our fantastic team at MEA Central. We are looking for a Catering Assistant to join our friendly and hardworking team at MEA Central. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a busy, customer-focused environment and takes pride in delivering high-quality service. As part of our catering team, you will play a key role in supporting the smooth running of our school catering service - helping to prepare, serve, and present meals that keep our students and staff nourished and ready to learn. This is a Grade 2, permanent post working 20 hours per week, 10.30am-2.30pm, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £12,787 and the full time equivalent is £26,016. The start date for this post will be confirmed as soon as all pre-employment checks are complete.

About the role:

• Preparing food, making sandwiches and operating tills
• Assist with the setting up and serving of meals
• Cleaning kitchen equipment and dining furniture
• Ensuring compliance with Food Hygiene and COSHH regulations
• Providing excellent customer service to students and staff
• Supporting equal opportunities and inclusivity in our workplace

Requirements:

• Has experience in food preparation and service (school or catering experience desirable)
• Is reliable, enthusiastic, and a great team player
• Demonstrates excellent communication and customer service skills
• Works efficiently while maintaining high hygiene standard

All school staff are expected to share the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Benefits

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 15% for support staff
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you've lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Applicants are also subject to reference checks, DBS/vetting, background checks, and enhanced disclosure checks under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An individual barred from regulated activity relating to children is prohibited from applying for the role. The Trust is committed to equality and diversity and values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application support please contact us on 0161 527 7953 or email [e-mail].