Onboard Host

FirstGroup plc; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rail travel pass

Pension scheme

25 days leave

Health cashback

Discounts

Gym membership

Job summary

Hull Trains is seeking an Onboard Host based in Hull. This permanent role is 35 hours per week with a competitive salary and benefits package.

You will ensure high standards of food safety, maximise onboard revenue, and deliver exceptional customer service across First Class and Standard. The role requires flexible rosters and a positive, team-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Customer service experience within a sales background.
• Strong communication skills for customer interaction.
• Energetic, enthusiastic approach to problem solving and teamwork.
• Ability to work a set 7-day roster including shifts and London lodging.
• Knowledge of food safety is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Comply with Hull Trains Food Safety Policy.
• Maximise catering revenue through proactive selling on board.
• Provide hospitality and customer service on board in First Class and Standard.
• Meet sales targets and manage on-board stock.
• Record stock issues accurately and maintain sanitised work areas.
• Support other Hull Trains departments during disruption.

Skills

Customer service

Sales experience

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

NVQ Level 2, Customer Services or equivalent

Job description

Onboard Host, Hull

Permanent / 35 hours per week

£26,558 per annum, plus benefits package, including free and discounted rail travel (British and International), company defined contribution pension scheme, 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays. Also, non-contractual health cashback scheme, discounted shopping offer and 50% gym paid membership fees.

Interviews to be held 23rd / 24th / 25th September

Hull Trains is proud to be one of the UK's leading open-access rail operators, running seven daily services between Beverley, Hull and London King's Cross, with key local community stops at Cottingham, Brough, Howden, Selby, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham.

We're celebrating 25 years of quality service and not only that; we've also become a vital part of the Humber region as a transport provider, as well as a company that's deeply rooted in the communities we serve.

At Hull Trains, it's our people who set us apart. We're a local company made up of colleagues from nationwide delivering exceptional service every day. Many of our team have already progressed through the business to achieve senior roles and this is testament to the supportive, rewarding environment that we've created.

We are proud to champion equality, diversity and inclusion. Our workforce reflects this with 47% female colleagues across the entire organisation.

We're honoured to have the highest percentage of female drivers in the UK, and our ongoing efforts have been recognised with prestigious industry awards such as:

• Spotlight Rail Awards – Operator of the Year 2026
• Spotlight Rail Awards – Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award 2026
• HR & Recruitment Team or Person – Rail Staff Awards 2025

Furthermore, we are proud to have an overall employee engagement score of 85% in our most recent survey which closed in May 2026, far exceeding the industry average of 71% and a reflection of the positive culture we have at Hull Trains.

With record-breaking passenger numbers, a cutting-edge, eco-friendly fleet and services which now exceed pre-pandemic levels, we're a company going from strength to strength and we're only just getting started.

Whether it's onboard or behind the scenes, every member of our team plays a vital role in driving our success and shaping the future of rail travel in our region. We're growing, we're thriving and we're looking for passionate people to come with us. If you're ready to be part of a progressive, award-winning team, then it's time to join Hull Trains.

We are recruiting for an Onboard Host.

The purpose and objectives of this role are:

• Comply with the Hull Trains Food Safety Policy.
• Maintain a hygienic working area within the Food Safety Policy and HACCP guidelines, holding responsibility for all goods, stock rotation and to alert management of any discrepancies or poor practices.
• Maximise catering revenue through proactive selling on board.
• Undertake direct hospitality and customer service duties on board as directed by the Onboard Manager & Onboard Experience Manager.
• Offer all customers an exceptional food and beverage service, both in First Class & Standard in line with the company's specification.
• Meet sales targets.
• Ensure that all paperwork is completed correctly in line with the company's standard requirements, relating to on board stock control, food hygiene and financial.
• All stock control issues including rotation, storage and top up ordering.
• All prescribed cleaning duties are undertaken in the course of your shift.
• Offer assistance to all other Hull Trains departments during times of disruption to ensure that customer service and operational excellence is maintained at all times.
• Undertake full meet & greet duties at all stations and in line with Hull Trains standards.
• To ensure that all marketing material required on board are requested and delivered to services in a timely manner.
• To ensure wastage is minimised through stock rotation and control.
• To ensure that sufficient stock levels, both ambient and perishable are maintained to provide 100% stock levels to all train services.
• Accurately record all issues made from the Service Centre using the Stock Management system.
• Protect the company and customer's assets, this includes wastage by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious situations to your Line Manager.
• Carry out stock counts as required and enter results accurately into the stock systems.
• To work closely with all members of the Hull Trains team to ensure that we have the highest standards possible on our services and that we work within a safe environment.

The knowledge or experience you will need:

• Able to follow a set 7-day roster with a variety of early to late shifts, including overnight lodgings in London. This differs slightly for part-time colleagues, but rosters will include early and late shifts and weekend working.
• Customer service experience within a sales background.
• Cash handling and card payment experience.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with customers and colleagues.
• Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate, or food safety experience (desirable).
• Stock handling experience (desirable).
• Stock control and ordering experience (desirable).
• Comprehensive standard of education.
• An energetic and enthusiastic approach to problem solving and teamwork.
• NVQ Level 2, Customer Services or equivalent or be actively working towards it, (desirable).
• Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations for dealing with customer sensitive data.

At Hull Trains we are committed to encouraging equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusion at every level in our business, and ensuring an inclusive and open working environment.

The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, to help us to better understand their needs and to deliver more creative and innovative solutions.

We all belong at Hull Trains.FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.