Lead Food Technician

Doncaster College; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Doncaster College is seeking an organised Lead Food Technician to support high-quality practical teaching across professional kitchens, classrooms and a commercial restaurant. You will manage food ordering, stock control, safety compliance and day-to-day technical coordination to create a safe, industry-focused learning environment.

Working closely with curriculum staff, technicians and students, you will lead a small team, oversee budgets and resources, and support audits and events, ensuring

Qualifications

• Clean and safe working environment mindset.
• Strong communication with students and staff.
• Proactive and organised approach to support teaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the technician team within Catering and Hospitality.
• Manage food ordering, budgets, stock control and record keeping.
• Ensure correct receipt, storage and management of food, equipment and resources.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, safety, risk assessment and COSHH compliance.
• Prepare, set up and clear practical learning environments and commercial catering areas.
• Oversee cleanliness and maintenance of facilities.
• Support audits and promote a positive safety culture.
• Provide technical support to staff and students during practical activities.
• Support evening and weekend events when required.

Skills

Communication skills

Organised

Health & safety awareness

Education

Level 2 Food Safety

GCSE English and Maths (4/C or above)

Tools

Food ordering software

Health and safety software

Job description

The vacancy

We are looking for an organised, proactive and experienced Lead Food Technician to join our Catering and Hospitality team at Doncaster College. We are looking for an organised, proactive and experienced Lead Food Technician to join our Catering and Hospitality team at Doncaster College. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality practical teaching and learning across our professional kitchens, classrooms and commercial restaurant. Working closely with curriculum staff, technicians and students, you will lead on food ordering, stock control, health and safety compliance, resource management and the day-to-day coordination of technical support activities. As Lead Food Technician, you will help create a safe, engaging and industry-focused learning environment where students can develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the hospitality sector.

Essential Criteria

We are looking for someone who has:

• A Level 2 Food Safety qualification.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• At least 3 years' experience working within a professional catering and hospitality environment.
• Experience using ICT systems for food ordering, food safety and health and safety processes.
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to delivering a positive, student-centred learning experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the technician team within the Catering and Hospitality area.
• Manage food ordering, budgets, stock control and accurate record keeping.
• Ensure the correct receipt, storage and management of food, equipment and resources.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health and safety, risk assessment and COSHH compliance.
• Prepare, set up and clear practical learning environments and commercial catering areas.
• Oversee the cleanliness, maintenance and organisation of all catering and hospitality facilities.
• Work closely with Health and Safety colleagues to support audits and promote a positive safety culture.
• Provide technical support to staff and students across practical learning activities and commercial operations.
• Support evening and weekend events and activities when required.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary
• 30 Bookable annual leave days + bank holidays, and 2 weeks off at Christmas.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Access to same-day GP appointments, high street discounts, discounted hair and beauty treatments, electric car scheme.
• On-site gym & florist (site dependent).
• Access to our In-house Food Hall & Coffee Shops.

Additional Information

• Safer Recruitment: As part of the recruitment process and in line with keeping children safe in education, we will conduct social media checks on shortlisted candidates. Additionally, before commencing employment, all employees undergo safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.
• Right to Work: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Closing date: 07 September 2026

We're always happy to chat! If you'd like any further information about this role or any part of the application process, please don't hesitate to contact our Recruitment team at [e-mail]. We'd love to hear from you.

About Us

Here at Doncaster College and University Centre we understand that choosing what to do next can be a huge decision. It's not just about the course you choose to study, it is about the tutors, the experiences and the friends you meet along the way.

We have over 120 courses at full and part-time, from entry level right up to university level. As well as the vast amount of courses on offer, we ensure all our students get the right support and guidance whether it is through our careers service, our additional learning support, counselling, student finance and many other services all tailored to each individual.

Our exciting and modern campus is in a central location, packed with workspaces designed to industry standard. We work directly with employers allowing you real work experience and industry insight that you will not get from sitting behind a desk.

The Benefits

All employees at DN Colleges Group enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, as well as an additional 2 weeks closure over the Christmas period. We encourage all our teams to take regular breaks, no longer than 3 weeks, to enjoy a healthy work life balance.

DN Colleges Group are committed to Health and Wellbeing of all our employees. We have an increasing number of provisions exclusive to our employees, designed to help you stay at your best or to assist and provide support when you need it.

Health and fitness suite

Generous annual leave

2 weeks off at Christmas

Electric car scheme

• Vivup – Employee Wellbeing and Benefits platform
• Wellness initiatives, onsite during your working week. This could include health visitors, financial advisers, or physio specialists.
• Onsite fitness classes, at lunchtime or after work in conjunction with our Sports colleagues.
• Cycle to Work and Electric car scheme
• Free Eye Care Vouchers
• Discounted Hair and Beauty services
• On site nursery
• Online access to Remploy which is our 24/7 confidential mental health and counselling resource.
• In house counselling/safeguarding specialists to assist in Wellbeing

Lets Teach Programme

Lets Teach The LET's teach programme supports new members of teaching staff in terms of college systems and key teaching and learning areas including new staff lesson visits and postcard peeps. Each new member of staff has an allocated Lead Practitioner who works closely with them throughout the programme.

Lets Bloom

The LET's Bloom Programme aims to connect our experienced and qualified teachers to share best practice and support continued risk-taking as we continue to add depth to our teaching craft. Teachers volunteer on this one year programme, working closely with the Learning Enhancement Team, capturing their experimentation in a journal.

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