Catering Assistant

Sodexo Ltd; Harwich (MA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parking

Blue Light Card

Sodexo Benefits

Job summary

Sodexo Ltd at Fryatt Hospital is seeking a Food Service Assistant to help provide nutritious meals and a safe, welcoming dining environment for patients, staff and visitors.

You will prepare and serve meals per recipes, maintain cleanliness, monitor stock, and support service across shifts with strong customer service. NHS policies and a food hygiene certificate are preferred; a full driving licence is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cook or catering role.
• Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate; Level 3 desirable.
• City & Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 2 desirable.
• Knowledge of food preparation techniques, recipes, portion control, and stock management.
• Strong communication and customer service with patients and staff.
• Reliable, punctual, flexible, able to work under pressure.
• Awareness of NHS policies and procedures; healthcare setting experience desirable.
• Ability to work independently and support across locations; full driving licence where required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals to a planned menu, following standard recipes and high cooking standards.
• Monitor stock levels, rotate stock, report shortages or quality issues to Team Leader.
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene, infection control, and cleanliness standards.
• Serve food to patients, staff, and visitors with excellent service.
• Complete temperature checks, food probes, quality monitoring, and maintain records.
• Use kitchen equipment safely, report faults, and secure areas at end of shifts.
• Communicate with colleagues, patients, and managers; escalate issues when needed.
• Support team operations with training, administration, and health and safety tasks.

Skills

Catering experience

Food Hygiene Level 2

City & Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 2

Food safety knowledge

Customer service

Driving licence

Healthcare setting experience

Education

Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate

City & Guilds 7061/7062 NVQ Level 2

Tools

Kitchen equipment operation

Job description

Healthy outcomes start with positive patientexperiences.

• 0 Hour Casual Contract / Various Shift Times - Morning shift - 7:00 - 15:00, Afternoon shift - 15:00 - 18:30
• £12.92 per hour
• Parking / Access to Blue Light Card / Sodexo Benefits
• Location is Fryatt Hospital

Check your local transport links here:

Plan YourJourney | Traveline- the destination you should input is:CO12 4EX

Job Introduction

This job puts good food on the table.

As a Food ServiceAssistant at Sodexo in Fryatt Hospital, you’ll play an important part inpreparing and serving nutritious, comforting meals that support patientrecovery and wellbeing. You’ll also helpmaintain a clean, safe environment in the kitchen and dining areas.With a cheerfulattitude and great customer service, your presence can make a real differencein someone’s day. Join Sodexo and be partof something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose andthrive in your way.

What you’ll do:

• Prepare and cook meals to a planned menu, following standard recipes and maintaining high cooking standards.
• Monitor stock levels, rotate food correctly, and report shortages or quality issues to the Team Leader.
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene, infection control, and cleanliness standards in all food preparation and service areas.
• Serve food to patients, staff, and visitors while delivering excellent customer service.
• Complete temperature checks, food probing, quality monitoring, and maintain accurate records.
• Use kitchen equipment safely, report faults promptly, and ensure appliances and kitchen areas are secured at the end of shifts.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, visitors, managers, and other departments, escalating issues where necessary.
• Support team operations by assisting with training, administration, health and safety compliance, and undertaking additional duties as delegated by supervisors

What you bring:

• Proven experience working in a cook or catering role.
• Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate (Level 3 Food Hygiene is desirable).
• Catering qualification such as City & Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 2 (desirable).
• Knowledge of food preparation techniques, standardised recipes, portion control, and stock management.
• Strong communication and customer service skills when working with patients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Reliable, punctual, flexible, and able to work under pressure to meet service demands and deadlines.
• Awareness of NHS policies and procedures and experience within a healthcare setting (desirable).
• Ability to work independently, adapt to changing service needs, use cleaning equipment safely, and support services across different healthcare locations, including holding a full driving licence where required.

What we offer:

Working at Sodexo isn’t just a job — it’s a chance tomake a difference every day. You'll be part of a supportive team, act withpurpose, and thrive in a role where your work matters. We also offer a range ofbenefits to support you and your loved ones:

• Mental health and wellbeing resources
• Employee Assistance Programme (including financial/legal advice & personal support)
• Free health & wellbeing app with 24/7 virtual GP access
• Discounts on high street brands for you and your family
• Salary finance tools and financial wellbeing resources
• Retirement savings plan and life insurance
• Full training and protective uniform provided.
• Opportunities to gain experience through learning and development.
• Cycle to Work scheme & volunteering opportunities.
• Flexible working and a dynamic team environment
• Competitive pay

We may close this advert early if wereceive a high number of applications — so don’t wait!

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every dayfor everyone to build a better life for all.As the global leader in services thatimprove the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food andFM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed tobeing an inclusive employer. Weare a forces friendly employer.We welcome and encourage applications from peoplewith a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities.We encourage our employees to get involved with ourEmployee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, SodexoDisability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer.We’re committed tochanging attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have thechance to fulfil their aspirations.We run a DisabilityConfident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet theminimum selection criteria for the job.

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together,Generations and Origins.