Chef

Priory; Alloway; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Birthday holiday

Enhanced maternity pay

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Development opportunities

IPD sponsorship

Leadership training

Long service award

Refer a friend bonuses

Job summary

Priory Hospital Ayr Clinic in Ayr, Scotland is seeking a skilled Chef to join the Site Support team. This full-time role covers catering operations across 7 days, with shifts from 8:00am to 6:00pm, contributing to a safe, welcoming environment for patients and staff.

The successful candidate will have NVQ2 level (or equivalent), a basic food hygiene qualification, and the ability to manage stock, liaise with suppliers, and control costs while delivering meals for large groups.

Qualifications

• NVQ2 level or equivalent is required, plus basic food hygiene qualification.
• Numeracy and literacy skills are essential for planning and service.
• Good organisational and time management abilities are needed to manage workload.

Responsibilities

• Plans, prepares and cooks meals for the catering service.
• Ensures meals are served and operations run smoothly.
• Manages stock, places orders and checks deliveries to maintain cost control.
• Takes full shift responsibility for catering in the absence of the Head Chef.

Skills

Numerate

Literacy

Strong communication

Time management

Education

NVQ2 level or equivalent

Basic food hygiene qualification

Job description

Chef Position at Priory Hospital Ayr Clinic

Priory Hospital Ayr Clinic is looking to recruit a Chef to join the team. This is a full time 37.5 hours role. Based in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland, Priory Hospital Ayr Clinic is a low secure service for males and females with a mental health diagnosis and/or a personality disorder. We can support people from all over the UK. Lochlea House and Gatehouse are two stepdown services located in Ayrshire which are part of Ayr Clinic also. This role covers core shifts on a rota basis, working across 7 days between 8:00am and 6:00pm. Due to the location of the service, access to a vehicle or the ability to drive is recommended.

Department: Site Support Roles

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Ayr Clinic

Address: 6 Dalmellington Road, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA6 6PT

Workplace type: Onsite

Compensation: £29,645 / year

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be part of a dedicated and compassionate team, all working together to ensure the smooth running of the hospital and to support the wellbeing of our patients. While your role doesn't involve providing direct care, your contribution is vital in helping to maintain a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for everyone. Whether you're assisting with day-to-day operations, keeping things organised, or ensuring our spaces are well looked after, your support plays an important part in creating a positive experience for those who live and work here.

• Assists with the provision of a catering service within a Priory Group Service with particular emphasis on the planning, preparation, cooking and serving of meals, ensuring all activities and operations comply with operational standards and statutory regulations.
• Undertakes the planning, preparation and cooking of meals, taking account of any special requests or dietary requirements within the unit.
• Ensuring operational standards comply with the company's Food Safety policies and guidelines and statutory regulations.
• Takes full shift responsibility for the catering operation (in the absence of the Head Chef).
• Ensures the cost-effective and efficient control of stock including placing orders for food products and the checking/reconciliation of deliveries.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows. The ideal candidate will be numerate and literate, qualified to NVQ2 level or equivalent, and hold a basic qualification in food hygiene. They will be able to organise and prioritise their own workload within established procedures, demonstrating excellent organisation and time management skills. With strong communication and negotiation abilities, they will confidently monitor costs and liaise effectively with suppliers. A good understanding of specialised diets, including Dysphagia and allergens, will be advantageous. The ideal candidate will deliver first-class customer service and bring experience from a professional kitchen environment, with a proven track record of producing meals for large groups on time and within budget.

What We Will Give You in Return

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Free on-site parking
• Birthday Holiday - your birthday as an extra days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Long service award
• Refer a friend bonuses

About Priory

Priory is the UK's leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With 12,000 colleagues and a network of 270 services, we support over 24,000 people each year to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions - including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and children's mental health - and provide residential and supported living care for autistic adults, people with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome, brain injuries and older people.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process.