Kitchen Assistant/Cook in Sunderland

Cook/Kitchen Assistant 28 hrs plus overtime as required £12.72 per hour Harbour Healthcare Maple Lodge Care Home Sunderland SR5 5SF Maple Lodge is a Harbour Healthcare Home, 'Caring, fun and family‑run!' The home is purpose‑built and situated right in the heart of the local community. We have a happy atmosphere and reflect the approach the team takes to residents’ happiness and wellbeing.

Summary of Position

We are in search of a ‘first class’ Cook/Kitchen Assistant to join our team. The successful candidate will have culinary and management experience, be responsible for kitchen functions including ordering supplies, preparation, and maintenance of quality standards, sanitation and cleanliness, and supervision of employees during the Chef's absence.

Duties and responsibilities (although this is not a definitive list):

• Support the preparation, cooking, and serving of meals and snacks throughout the day in line with our residents’ preferences and dietary needs e.g. diabetics, texture modified food, vegetarian.
• Stock management and ordering supplies.
• Menu planning.
• Maintain food safety checks and records as per company requirements.
• Ensure that you are aware of and adhere to company policy and procedures.
• Follow Health and Safety procedures.
• Ensure that all equipment and food service areas are kept clean and in excellent working condition.
• Work alongside the Activities Team to cater for special events taking place within the home.
• Managing budgets.
• Oversee and ensure that employee supervisions are completed on a timely basis.
• Rota scheduling.

Essential Characteristics

• Previous experience of working in a care setting.
• Qualification(s) in catering.
• Qualification(s) in food safety/hygiene.

Desirable Characteristics

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good team player.
• Follow food safety requirements.
• Possess good judgement, problem solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Effective time keeping and time management.

General

• To attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Complete all mandatory training and other training identified to develop skills.
• To communicate effectively with other staff, relatives and visitors including professional agencies.
• To practice and promote safe working practices within the Home.

Tangible benefits for working for Harbour:

• Discounts on Shopping, Fashion, Days out, Travel, Entertainment and lots more!
• Flex Earn – Earned wage access.
• FREE face‑to‑face counselling, for you and your family!
• Staff recognition award ceremonies £30 voucher available every month for the nominated ‘Employee of the month’.
• Opportunities for training and career progression.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme.
• Blue Light Card – up to 50% discount across 100’s of retailers.
• Access to a FREE eye test and discounted glasses.
• Cashback card – save up to £500 annually, can be used at over 80 big brands.
• Wellbeing portal: FREE meditation, FREE wellbeing podcasts & live virtual events, FREE mental health support programmes, FREE workout plans, FREE Live digital gym classes, FREE mindset and wellbeing series.
• Seasonal Company events, competitions and incentives.
• Refer a friend scheme – earn up to £250 when referring a friend to work for Harbour Healthcare.
• On-site parking.

This position is subject to two acceptable references and an enhanced DBS Disclosure.