Front of House Assistant

Donkey Sanctuary; Exeter; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent animal welfare organization seeks a Front of House Assistant to deliver excellent customer service at its Sidmouth restaurant. Responsibilities include serving food and beverages, ensuring cleanliness, and maintaining high standards. Applicants should have strong customer service and communication skills, along with experience in a high-volume catering environment. This part-time role offers a flexible work pattern and various benefits including competitive pension and health plans.

Benefits

Competitive pension

Life Assurance

31 Days holiday

Wellbeing Team

Free Parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Qualifications

• Experience of working front of house in a high-volume catering operation.
• Excellent customer service skills, capable of dealing with enquiries and complaints.
• Good organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serving food and beverages to customers to a high standard.
• Delivering food and beverages to tables and clearing trays.
• Ensuring secure cash handling and compliance with food hygiene regulations.

Skills

Customer service skills

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Self-motivated

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Front of House Assistant

We are heading into our busy season and are looking for friendly and proactive team players with a strong customer service ethic to join our team at our award-winning restaurant, The Kitchen.

Position

Front of House Assistant (2079)

Location

Sidmouth

Hours

Part Time

Salary

£12.21 per hour

Contract

Permanent

Closing Date

Tuesday 2nd December 2025

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life‑enhancing relationships.

As Front of House Assistant, you will ensure excellent customer service is delivered by giving a warm welcome to all visitors, engaging them in the charity at every opportunity and ensuring that service exceeds customers’ expectations at all times.

About you

• Experience of working front of house in a high‑volume catering operation.
• Excellent customer service skills, including experience of dealing with enquiries and complaints from members of the public.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Self‑motivated.
• Great interpersonal skills – able to establish, build and maintain successful relationships with staff, supporters and visitors.

About the role

• Serving food and beverages to customers, including barista coffee, to a consistently high standard.
• Delivering food and beverages to tables and clearing trays.
• Ensuring secure cash handling and efficient and accurate use of the till.
• Keeping the front of house and counter areas clean, cleaning and maintaining equipment and keeping records as required in compliance with food hygiene regulations.
• Assisting with putting away deliveries and ensuring stock rotation.
• Assisting with food preparation as required.
• Carrying out dishwashing duties to a high standard.

What we offer in return

These are part‑time, permanent contracts starting as soon as possible, working a guaranteed minimum of 5 or 12 hours per week across a 7‑day rota. The working hours and pattern will be agreed between the line manager and post‑holder, but flexibility will be required for weekend working. It is anticipated that additional hours will be available during busy periods.

The role is based on site at our Sidmouth location which is not easily accessible via public transport thus a current UK driving licence would be desirable.

Please note

These roles will not include evening working or split shifts.

Benefits

Competitive pension.

Life Assurance.

• 31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
• Wellbeing Team.
• Recorded Pilates classes.
• Long Service Awards.
• Healthshield Plan – including reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets and access to a 24 / 7 GP and counselling service.
• Free Parking.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation