Kitchen Porter/Assistant

Hours/Days per week: Casual hours on a shift basis – 5 days out of 6. Any 8-10 hours between 07:30 and 20:00. Occasionally, we will operate on Sundays and other hours.

Requirements: The Felix Project can only employ applicants who currently have the right to work in the UK.

About The Felix Project: The Felix Project and FareShare have recently merged to form the UK's largest food redistribution charity. Its vision is a UK where good food is never wasted, and nobody goes hungry. The organisation rescues high-quality edible surplus food from across the food industry and gets it to over 8,000 organisations across the UK who are working to strengthen communities and improve lives. The charity manages seven depots across London, Suffolk, Merseyside, and Hampshire and works with 16 network partners who operate a further 26 regional depots across the UK. Over the next year, our ambition is to rescue enough food nationally to provide nearly 200 million meals, turning an environmental problem into social good with measurable impact for people, planet, and the economy.

Our Values: Our values set the tone for our organisational culture and reflect how we do everything at The Felix Project, including our recruitment & selection process.

Purpose of the Job: We are looking for the Kitchen Assistant to play a key role in our fast-paced, high-volume kitchen, where cleanliness and tidiness are highly important. As a Kitchen Assistant, your role is to keep the kitchen clean and tidy to high standards. You provide other employees with assistance in the kitchen as needed, with tasks such as vegetable preparation, traying up rice, decanting brat pans, and handling raw meat products. Some experience of food handling is preferred but not essential. You must be able to learn and follow all food safety and health-related processes. Working closely with the Senior chefs and Kitchen Manager to ensure all areas are clean, tidy, and sanitary.

Duties and Responsibilities: Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time.

• Operate the industrial dishwasher and other machinery.
• Wash certain equipment and other implements by hand when necessary.
• Empty and clean all rubbish bins, inside and outside the kitchen.
• Clean kitchen and equipment daily and deep cleaning upon request.
• Rotate dishes to reduce wear and tear on resources, taking care of all equipment.
• Clean kitchen, storage, goods in, and all other areas.
• Always follow sanitation policies.
• Help with other kitchen duties as needed, especially during peak times, such as traying up rice, decanting food from brat pans, handling raw and cooked food.
• Perform opening, closing, and side work.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Report any sanitation or cleaning issues to the appropriate party.
• Assist with all goods coming into the kitchen and the correct storage.
• Act as a local ambassador for The Felix Project.

Person Specification: You will have a very strong work ethic, enjoy physical work, and be keen to learn more. You are willing to learn and ensure standards are kept. You have a passion to be part of a charity that is expanding rapidly, and you thrive in a busy environment. You will have a desire to help reduce food waste and/or fight food poverty. No experience required - we’re willing to train, although food-handling experience is an advantage. Excellent critical thinking and time management skills. Ability to operate industrial machinery and carry heavy loads. Willingness to work in a hot, humid environment and be on your feet for 8-hour shifts. Ability to work within a team of varied individuals with a positive attitude. Ability to work under pressure and achieve goals. Willingness to engage in physical work as part of your daily job. Very strong ethics and ability to keep high standards.

Desirable Skills / Knowledge Relevant to This Role: Committed to reducing food waste and fighting food poverty. Flexibility in terms of working hours. A desire to learn and improve your skills in a kitchen environment.

Equity Diversity Inclusion & Belonging: At The Felix Project, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. We value the unique contributions of every individual and strive to create a respectful, inclusive environment free from discrimination or prejudice. Our commitment extends to all employees and volunteers, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or characteristics.

Benefits: 28 days annual leave per annum (plus bank holidays) plus up to 2 days additional leave for length of service. Enhanced maternity and paternity leave. Birthday day off. Access to discounts for a wide range of everyday spends. Training and development opportunities. Employee assistance programme including 24-hour GP helpline. Cycle to Work Scheme. Opportunity for free meals whilst working at our depots. After work activities such as Felix’s softball team, running club, and cycling club.