Food Service Assistant

Middlesbrough College Group; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 9,500 - 12,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free gym membership

Counselling

Flexible hours

Training & progression

Employee discounts

Job summary

Middlesbrough College is seeking a friendly Food Service Assistant to join our Commercial Catering team. You will help prepare, present and serve meals to students, staff and visitors, contributing to high standards of service and food hygiene.

This 20-hour-per-week role operates on a rota (five days out of seven) during term time. You will gain experience in a busy campus catering operation with training opportunities and development.

Qualifications

• Maths and English at grade C or above or equivalent.
• Willing to undertake mandatory training relevant to the role.
• Willing to achieve a Basic Certificate in Food Hygiene.
• Willing to undertake and complete all course qualifications.
• NVQ Level 1 in food preparation (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation, cooking, delivery and presentation of meals for service to required standards.
• Maintain service display area to stock and presentation specifications.
• Ensure cleanliness of counter, service area, tables and floors before, during and after service.
• Communicate prices as per tariffs and process sales through cash system.
• Coordinate with staff, learners and customers to ensure efficient service.

Skills

Listening to instruction

Food knowledge

Team player

Flexible

Education

Grade C or above in Maths and English

NVQ Level 1 in food preparation

Job description

Job Title: Food Service Assistant

Department: Commercial Catering

Contract: Permanent, Part Time, Term Time Only (36 weeks)*

Salary:£10,516 per annum (actual salary)

Hours: 20 hours per week

Pension: NEST Pension Scheme

*This role operates on a rota basis, working 5 days out of 7. Shifts may include early starts from 7:30am, late finishes up to 8:00pm, and weekend working as required. Weekend shifts are typically 8:30am to 4:00pm on Saturdays and 8:30am to 2:00pm on Sundays.

The Role

We are looking for a friendly, reliable and customer-focused Food Service Assistant to join our Catering Services team. In this varied and hands‑on role, you will support the preparation, presentation and service of food and beverages, helping to deliver an excellent experience for students, staff and visitors. Working as part of a busy team, you will contribute to maintaining high standards of food quality, customer service, hygiene and food safety across the College's catering facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• To assist as guided in the preparation, cooking, delivery, and presentation of all meals for service, at the required times and to the required standards as detailed by the tariffs and menus displayed.
• To assist as guided / instructed in maintaining the service display area to the required stock and presentation specification.
• To assist as guided / instructed in ensuring the cleanliness of the counter, service area, tables and floor area are maintained to a satisfactory standard before, throughout and after service.
• To ensure full awareness of all product prices as stated on the tariffs and menus; and to process each sale accurately through the college cash system.
• To communicate effectively and appropriately with all staff, learners and external customers throughout the college, especially those in Catering Services, to ensure that tasks are coordinated and implemented in an effective and efficient way.

Qualifications

• Grade C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent).
• A commitment to undertake any mandatory training relevant to the role.
• Be willing to achieve a Basic Certificate in Food Hygiene.
• Be willing to undertake and complete all qualifications as specified by the course.
• NVQ Level 1 in food preparation – Desirable.

Experience

• Customer service experience is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• To have the ability to listen and act on instruction given by other team members with confidence when required to do so.
• Have an interest in the food industry and have basic food knowledge.
• To be a good team player and follow positive examples as instructed.
• To have a positive and flexible approach to meet the business needs.

Why Join Us?

• Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing; free gym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family
• Family-friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities
• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days
• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon.
• College benefit scheme - College Extras:
• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants
• Discounted gift cards for big brands
• Home & tech upgrades via salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work schemeDiscounted onsite car parking.

To learn more about working at Middlesbrough College, please visit our Work For Uspage.

Are you ready to make your mark?

If you're looking to join a team that cares about their staff wellbeing, values their personal development and works with them to have a positive impact on student experience, come to Middlesbrough College!

About Middlesbrough College

Middlesbrough College is a leading provider of education and training in the Northeast, offering A-levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and degree-level qualifications. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to staff development, we're proud to create opportunities for learners and colleagues alike, fostering an environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and make a real difference.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Across our campus and community, Middlesbrough College is driven by a clear vision, mission, and values that not only shape what we do for students but also make us a great place to work, grow, and thrive.

Safeguarding Our Students

Middlesbrough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment. If you're successful, you'll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All roles within the College carry safeguarding responsibilities, including promoting student welfare, reporting any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and modelling safe and appropriate conduct in line with College policies.

All posts at Middlesbrough College involve regulated activity and are therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ's guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications, related exceptions and further information.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

As part of our shortlisting process, we will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates to identify any safeguarding or reputation-related concerns (as required by KCSIE).

Right to work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Recruitment Process

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date.

Equality & Diversity

Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.