Queen Mary’s College is seeking to appoint a Catering Assistant who is conscientious and a keen team player to work in a dynamic environment. QMC is set on a beautiful multi-use site in the heart of Basingstoke, covering approximately 23 acres. Its educational facilities cater for approximately 2,000 16-18-year olds. The site ranges from state-of-the art teaching facilities built in the last few years to refurbished buildings that were original to the Shrubbery School which was first established in the 1950s. The College operates a commercial theatre, Central Studio and Sports Centre.
The catering team is very much a part of the college and operates from 3 locations on site: a concession at the Spectrum Building, the main Café and the Coffee Shop. The team consists of a Catering Manager, supported by a team of Catering Assistants. Catering is an important part of the college and well known amongst staff and students alike.
The ideal candidate for this role will be someone who is enthusiastic about delivering great customer service. Working in this environment requires ‘thinking on your feet’, good organisational skills, good communication, a positive ‘can-do’ attitude, a good and appropriate sense of humour and the ability to work flexibly. The suitable applicant is a person who can work as part of a team and can work under pressure.
Purpose of Job:
• To provide catering support in the preparation, cooking and serving of food and beverages and any other Key Outcomes:
- To prepare the food outlet areas for service, which may include moving and/or setting up furniture, trolleys, cleaning, putting away after service.
- To prepare hot plates and other equipment as instructed.
- To assist in the preparation, cooking and serving of food and beverages as instructed.
- To load dishwasher and wash by hand where appropriate - dishes, cutlery, tumblers, jugs, serving utensils, containers, tables and all other catering equipment expected in the catering environment.
- To clean catering areas to regulated standards as directed.
- To check and fill vending machines as instructed.
- To undertake on and off the job training as required by management, including food hygiene, health & safety and our in-house Smartlog computer-based training.
- Inform the Catering Manager of any defects in equipment or premises.
- Undertake any other duties that may be required for the effective operation of the catering function.
The key outcomes above, give an example of the type of duties that the postholder could be asked to carry out.
PLEASE NOTE this is for guidance only. Postholders are required to be flexible.
Personal Qualities/Leadership:
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work under pressure, to be flexible, thorough and accurate
• The ability to work as a member of a team
• The willingness and ability to learn new systems
• Calm under pressure
• Flexible and proactive approach to responsibilities
• A sense of humour appropriate to working in a setting with young people
• The ability to follow college policies and procedures
• The ability to understand and apply health and safety procedures
• Show a commitment and understanding of safeguarding
• Any other duties reasonably required by the Principal.
Benefits
This role attracts a number of benefits: working as part of a dedicated and professional team, complementary use of the Sports Centre facilities, including the swimming pool, free parking on site, discounted Central Studio tickets, complimentary hot beverages for all staff, INSET and related training activities and development, generous annual leave, employer pension, and subject to service length, sickness and paternity/maternity packages. With a focus on wellbeing including access to counselling.Salary:Salary is based on a full-time equivalent of Scale point 3 of the Sixth Form Colleges Support Staff pay scale, following a pay rise from March 2025 it will be £12.34 an hour.
Term-time for this role is working 36 weeks each academic year and being paid for 41.8 weeks to include holiday pay.
If worked at 22.5 hours a week, term-time, the annual salary is £11,605.55 per annum.
Conditions of Service: Permanent, part-time and term-time. Sixth Form College Support Staff. Along with college policies there is also an there is an expected code of conduct for the catering team.
Normal working hours: 10.00am to 2.30pm, daily, Monday to Friday. Term-time. Flexibility may be required but changes will be agreed beforehand. With an expectation to work occasional Open Evenings and at other related marketing events.
Please see attached job description for further details.