Catering Assistant

Manchester Arndale; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hapi app discounts

Early pay via Wagestream

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a proactive General Assistant for the Manchester Arndale centre. You will help with food preparation, keep the kitchen clean, handle deliveries, and assist with serving food to customers and events.

The role requires good time management, organisational skills and customer service. A Level 2 food hygiene or equivalent is desirable but training can be provided.

Qualifications

• Must have good time management and organisational abilities.
• Excellent customer service skills are essential.
• Basic catering and hospitality certificate such as Food Handling is desirable but training can be provided.
• Commercial kitchen experience is valued but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation tasks (peeling, chopping, trimming, sandwiches, salads).
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and equipment; clean utensils and stations.
• Receive and unpack deliveries; organise food and supply storage.
• Serve food to customers according to the menu; assist as host/waiter at events.
• Top up vending services.

Skills

Time management

Organisational skills

Customer service

Stand for long periods

Education

Food Handling certificate (Level 2)

Job description

About The Role:

Shift Pattern: Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 2pm and Friday 7.30am – 1pm

As part of your role, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Help with food preparation tasks such as peeling, chopping, trimming, and making sandwiches and salads


• Be responsible for maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen area and equipment. This includes cleaning utensils, tableware, and catering stations


• Assist with receiving and unpacking all deliveries, ensuring that the food and supply storage areas are organised


• Serve food items to customers in accordance with the menu prepared by the Chefs. Our General Assistants may also act as a host/waiter when needed in events


• Top up Vending services

What are we looking for?

• Commercial kitchen experience is highly valued but not essential


• Ideally you will possess a basic Catering and Hospitality certificate such as Food Handling or equivalent is desired but not essential as we can provide this for you


• Excellent time management skills and can work under pressure


• Excellent organisational skills are also important


• Can stand for extended periods is often necessary due to the physical nature of the job

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Must have the Right to Work in the UK


• A food hygiene course at Level 2 would be desirable but not essential as we can supply this training


• Excellent customer service skills are essential


• Good time-management and organisational abilities

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor's Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.