Food and Beverage Assistant - Campus Services - 42572 - Grade 2

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading UK university is looking for a customer service professional to join their Campus Services team. The role involves engaging with customers, preparing food, managing stock levels, and ensuring high hygiene standards. Candidates should have experience in a fast-paced environment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to quality service. A flexible approach to working hours is essential, and a full clean driving license is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy customer-facing role, preferably in a food and beverage environment.
• Full clean driving license required.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service at various outlets.
• Maintain hygiene standards and control stock levels.
• Assist with food preparation and cash handling.

Skills

Customer service

Positive communication

Food preparation

Education

A Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Job description

Position Details

Campus Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £23,764 to £24,855

Grade: 2

Part Time (Annualised hours, 0.49 FTE)

Permanent

Closing date: 11th September 2025

Background

The Business and Operations department offers a variety of outlets to staff, students and visitors across campus and also in student accommodation from small coffee shops to large restaurants. We also provide hospitality services for conferences and events held on campus and further afield.

Role Summary

You will be responsible for providing excellent customer service in any one of those areas/outlets. This post will involve basic food preparation, the provision of a high quality food and beverage service, cash handling, cleaning and stock control, together with any other duties required to ensure the smooth running of the business and operations service we offer to our diverse range of customers. In order to flexibly use resource you may be required to work elsewhere in the department or wider University.

Main Duties

Customer Service

• Greet and serve customers in a professional, responsive courteous, friendly manner, including answering queries and dealing with situations that arise, to deliver the highest level of customer service.
• Building rapport with customers whenever possible and encouraging customer feedback.
• Maintain a professional working relationship with all colleagues.

Business Requirements

• Undertake basic food and beverage preparation to deliver quality products to the customer.
• Ensure a correct standard of stock rotation is followed whilst maintaining adequate stock levels, adjusting orders as required and making sure that food products are used prior to the best before date.
• Report any equipment failures and hazards to either the Supervisor/Manager/Supplier in a timely manner.
• Ensure all portion controls are adhered to as directed by the Supervisor/Manager and in line with Operations Manuals.
• Maintain control on all food and drink wastage and record as required.
• Ensure that all Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) hygiene and allergen recording systems and food and drink receipt procedures are carried out and correctly recorded.
• Conform and adhere to all Health/Food Safety Codes of Practice and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations at all times.
• Assist with the transportation of commodities and equipment from one location to another as required, following hygiene and health and safety protocols.
• Operate electronic point of sale (EPOS) terminals and handle cash effectively, including opening and end of day procedures, cashing up and ensuring the security of all monies; if required in secure areas.
• Perform cleaning tasks to a high standard at all times, following standard operating procedures, ensuring the regularly removal of rubbish as necessary and ensuring a clean environment.
• Ensure the thorough cleaning of all equipment, utensils, crockery, glassware, walls, fridges, tables and accompaniments and all work areas and surfaces and to ensure they are sanitised before the end of each shift.
• On occasion, you may be required to place orders for food and commodities, and/or undertake stock takes as directed by your manager.
• If serving alcohol, ensure compliance with the relevant licensing laws.

Team Work

• Actively seek opportunities to increase sales by upselling products and make recommendations as directed by your manager.
• Participate in any training and development activities as required.
• Be supportive to colleagues.
• Attend all team briefs/training and departmental meetings as required.
• Be actively involved in an annual personal development review with your line manager/supervisor.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties or requests (other than those stated in the job description) as requested by a senior member of staff including driving UoB vehicles when required.
• Treats everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity.

Operational requirements

• Contracts are annualised and based on 35 hours per week(or pro rata) inclusive of weekdays, weekends, bank holidays and closed days on a rota basis, including evening work activities. Operational windows will vary by business unit/activity. Hours will be defined in your contract of employment.
• To undertake works activities across all UoB campuses as requested that are commensurate with the grade and role activities to support the Division and wider UoB activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Experience and knowledge of working in a busy, customer facing role, with previous experience of working in a food and beverage environment being an advantage.
• A Level 2 Food Safety Certificate is desirable – although full training will be provided.
• A commitment to providing a quality service.
• Positive communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of personal appearance.Some parts of a uniform is provided for this purpose.
• Work patterns may vary so a flexible approach to working hours and days is essential.
• Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect own area (e.g. Dietary requirements/dress code).
• Full clean driving license essential.

Dimensions

This role is concerned with providing a quality customer service in the provision of food and beverages.

Planning and organising

The post holder will follow instructions from their supervisor in terms of day to day focus, working in response to customer orders or to planned activities in preparation areas or kitchens. They will need to maintain an awareness of how their work links with others, and to ensure certain activities are completed within a shift.

Problem solving and decision making

The role will undertake a variety of activities that are very similar in nature, with most problems arising being ones that have been seen before, with the role holder knowing how to resolve it from experience, but will refer to a manager if assistance is required.

Internal and external relationships

This role will be a customer facing role and will be expected to be polite, responsive, friendly and courteous at all times, dealing with enquiries in a professional manner that leaves customers feeling well treated.

Informal enquiries to Pamela Foley, email: [e-mail]

View our staff values and behaviourshere

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .