Catering Assistant

OCS; Bedford (IN); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-winning employer

Digital learning environment

Retail perks via Hapi app

Professional growth opportunities

Flexible pay via Wagestream

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is hiring a Catering Assistant in Bedford to support high-quality food and hospitality services. You will help with food preparation, service, and maintaining hygiene standards, while delivering a welcoming customer experience.

The role requires a positive, customer‑focused attitude, ability to work in a team, and reliability in a fast-paced environment. DBS may be required; Right to Work in the UK is essential.

Qualifications

• Right to Work in the UK and willingness to undergo a DBS check.
• Experience in catering, hospitality or food service is desirable but not essential.
• Basic understanding of food hygiene and safe handling practices.
• Positive, friendly and customer‑focused attitude.
• Ability to work well as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Good timekeeping, reliability and a flexible approach to work.
• Willingness to follow instructions and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic food preparation in line with menu requirements and food safety standards.
• Serve food and beverages to customers in a friendly and professional manner.
• Support the set‑up and close‑down of catering areas, including counters and seating areas.
• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen, service and dining areas.
• Wash up utensils, dishes and equipment as required.
• Replenish food, beverages and consumables during service periods.
• Follow all food safety, health & safety and hygiene procedures at all times.
• Use catering equipment safely and correctly.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure smooth service delivery.
• Provide a positive and customer‑focused experience at all times.

Skills

Customer-focused

Team player

Time management

Reliability

Flexible

Follow instructions

Food safety basics

Education

Level 2 Food Safety or Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

About The Role

Days of Working: This position will be based at Fountain Court, Bedford, working MON- 3.30 -7PM, TUES - 3.30-7PM, WED - 3.30- 7PM, FRI - 3.30-7PM.

As a Catering Assistant, you will support the delivery of a high‑quality food and hospitality service, helping to create a welcoming and efficient catering environment for customers, clients and colleagues. You will assist with food preparation, service and cleanliness, ensuring standards of hygiene, safety and customer care are consistently met.

This role plays an important part in the smooth day‑to‑day operation of catering services, working as part of a team to deliver a professional, friendly and reliable service.

As part of your role, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to

• Assist with basic food preparation in line with menu requirements and food safety standards
• Serve food and beverages to customers in a friendly and professional manner
• Support the set‑up and close‑down of catering areas, including counters and seating areas
• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen, service and dining areas
• Wash up utensils, dishes and equipment as required
• Replenish food, beverages and consumables during service periods
• Follow all food safety, health & safety and hygiene procedures at all times
• Use catering equipment safely and correctly
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure smooth service delivery
• Provide a positive and customer‑focused experience at all times

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria

• Right to Work in the UK and willingness to undergo a DBS check.
• Previous experience in a catering, hospitality or food service environment (desirable but not essential)
• A basic understanding of food hygiene and safe handling practices
• A positive, friendly and customer‑focused attitude
• Ability to work well as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment
• Good timekeeping, reliability and a flexible approach to work
• Willingness to follow instructions and procedures

Desirable

• Level 2 Food Safety or Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to undertake training)
• Experience working within Facilities Management (FM) or contract catering services

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.