Cook - Eurospar Downpatrick

Henderson Group; Downpatrick; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Discounts across UK/Ireland

Staff discount (grocery/fuel)

Job summary

Henderson Group is hiring a Cook for a full-time role based in Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will assist in safe and hygienic meal preparation, maintain high kitchen standards and support a friendly team.

The role requires flexibility to work 6am–9pm, 42.5 hours weekly, with opportunities for development and progression within the group. Salary is £14.07 per hour with benefits and a strong focus on food safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 2 Food Safety qualification.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a catering environment.
• Ability to follow instructions and pay attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Set up workstations with ingredients and equipment.
• Check ingredient quality and report concerns.
• Prepare ingredients for cooking (washing, peeling, chopping, trimming).
• Follow recipes and methods to ensure quality and consistency.
• Portion, arrange and garnish food to specification.
• Cook using utensils and kitchen appliances.
• Maintain health, safety, and hygiene standards and documentation.
• Receive goods-in and ensure shelf life compliance.
• Assist with stock control and rotate stock to reduce waste.

Skills

Communication

Under pressure

Multiskill

Attention to detail

Follow instructions

Education

Level 2 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Job Posting Closing Date: 11.59pm Thursday 15 October 2026

£14.07 per hour & great benefits.

Full-time position available working 42.5 hours per week within the hours of 6am - 9pm Monday to Sunday with a degree of flexibility required.

Who are we?

Henderson Group are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024.

We're an Investors in People accredited, family-owned group, and our culture is lived out through our four core values- Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.

A look into the role

We’re looking for a special candidate who will lead our hard-working and friendly team, making it all happen - assisting management in the safe and hygienic preparation and production of high quality meals sold in our store and maintaining great hygiene standards by keeping the prep and service areas clean. You’ll be supported by a team of brilliant people, and there are fantastic career development and progression opportunities.

As Cook you will

• Set up workstations with all needed ingredients and cooking equipment.
• Check quality of ingredients and report any concerns to management.
• Prepare ingredients to use in cooking (peeling and chopping vegetables and cutting meat etc as required).
• Follow recipes and methods in a very strict manner to ensure the highest possible quality and consistency of food production.
• Portion, arrange and garnish food to the required specification.
• Cook food as required using various utensils and kitchen appliances.
• Exercise and enforce constant watch over Health & Safety, Security, Discipline and Due Diligence.
• Carry out food safety control checks in all areas to ensure all standards are being maintained and recorded.
• Prepare and cook all food in line with company procedure and Health and Safety regulations.
• Ensure a high standard of cleanliness in the Kitchen area is maintained at all times.
• Be accountable for the enforcement of all legislative demands/standards of fire, health, hygiene and safety and these conditions are strictly adhered to.
• Receive goods-in ensuring all legislative requirements, quality specification and shelf life of products is adhered to.
• Ensure effective stock rotation practices are in place to use older products first and reduce wastage.
• Assist management with stock control procedures including stocktaking & ordering. Undertake other duties as required for the role.
• To work closely with and assist other members of the team with other duties of a similar nature or level of responsibility as required.

Skills for Success

Joining us as a Cook, the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• Good standard of education and very good communication skills, ability to work under pressure and apt in multiskilling, have the ability to follow instructions and great attention to detail.
• You will have at least 2 years’ experience in a catering environment
• Previous experience of all types of food preparation
• Knowledge of Food Safety practices and procedures- you’ll have minimum Level 2 qualification in Food Safety.
• Commercial Awareness, and ability to deliver on Key Performance Indicators such as sales, costs and profitability.
• You must be aged 18 years or over (for store legislative requirements)

Applicants should note that based on the response, the company may increase the shortlisting criteria.

Are we right for you?

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.

• Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
• Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
• Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
• Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward

The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success.

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include attractive pay, employee assistance programme, discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

Working Hours

Full-time position available working 42.5 hours per week within the hours of 6am - 9pm Monday to Sunday with a degree of flexibility required.

Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to discuss working hours and shift patterns in further detail at interview.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Thursday 15 October 2026.

*Communication on the progress of your application will be made via email and the career site, therefore please check regular­ly.

Hightown Avenue Mallusk, Newtownabbey BT36 4RT [phone] [e-mail]