Retail Catering Assistant

NHS; Darlington; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a Catering Assistant to support chefs in delivering high-quality catering services at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Responsibilities include meal preparation, maintaining food safety standards, and providing excellent customer service. Ideal candidates will have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and strong interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Performance-related bonus scheme

Access to pension scheme (NEST)

Night shift allowances

Bank holiday allowances

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the catering sector.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing meals and snacks for staff and visitors.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and safety.
• Operate electronic tills and handle cash transactions.

Skills

Customer Focus

Interpersonal Skills

Food Safety Knowledge

Flexibility

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

The Catering Assistant role is to support both regeneration chefs and other catering assistants in the provision of a highly professional catering service within the retail services at Darlington Memorial Hospital, both within the Retail restaurant and Coffee Shop.

This role is expected to follow the duties laid out by the Retail Service Supervisor/Manager in daily retail services to staff and visitors, ensuring a high-quality, cost-effective, and courteous service at all times.

Main duties of the job

1. Service Delivery
2. Assist in preparing nutritious and appetizing meals and snacks for staff and visitors, following planned menus, recipes, and systems for cook-chill catering, maintaining high standards of nutrition, temperature, quality, presentation, hygiene, safety, and allergen regulations.
3. Participate in preparing retail and buffet products, adhering strictly to recipes, methods, and production plans.
4. Maintain high standards of food quality from purchase to service, ensuring quality control throughout.
5. Operate electronic tills and handle cash transactions.
6. Work within the coffee shop after full training, including operating barista-style machines.
7. Assist in temperature monitoring and recording of meals/foodstuffs and storage equipment, complying with departmental policies and HACCP standards.
8. Assist with receipt, quality assurance, and stock control of goods.

About us

CDD Services / SCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT), established to deliver non-clinical services. It is a separate legal entity from CDDFT.

The company offers its own Terms and Conditions of employment, which differ from NHS terms, including benefits such as:

• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Access to a pension scheme (NEST) with a 3% employer contribution
• Night shift allowances (where applicable)
• Bank holiday allowances (where applicable)

Bank work is on an 'as and when' basis, paid pro-rata per hour worked.

Job responsibilities

• Support and assist the Retail Supervisor and Manager in delivering professional catering services at Darlington Memorial Hospital, ensuring high standards at all times.
• Follow policies and procedures for daily operations, maintaining high-quality, cost-effective service.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Provide a customer-focused restaurant environment.
• Maintain communication with staff, visitors, and patients regarding feeding and catering needs.
• Work safely to prevent risks to others.
• Address complaints courteously from staff or patients initially.
• Encourage staff development, flexible working, and adapt to major life events.

Person Specification

Special Requirements

• Enthusiastic and natural staff member
• Knowledge of the catering sector

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to work independently following procedures
• Flexible and adaptable to change

Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or working towards it
• Good literacy and numeracy skills

Experience

• Effective interpersonal skills
• Industry experience in catering services

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to DBS checks under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure will be required to check for criminal convictions.

Salary: £23,874 per year, pro-rata, interim payment.