Catering Assistant

Grade and Salary: Grade 3, £24,546 per annum

Holiday Entitlement: 28 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Hours Available: 1.0FTE, 35 hrs per week (including occasional weekend work). Weekly rosters are subject to change.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide and assist with the provision of professional, welcoming, high quality, flexible catering service to students, colleagues and visitors to the University across all areas.
• Preparation and pre‑service activities prior to the opening of an outlet or the start of an event.
• Operate the outlet tills – including take payments whether cash, credit, contactless or cashless.
• Fill, clean and service vending machines as trained and per procedures.
• Assist with receiving and putting away food deliveries and stock counting.
• Assist as directed in basic food preparation readying outlets for service, producing prepared‑to‑order items – both hot and cold, creation and production of salads, sandwiches, coffees and other items as instructed.
• Preparation, safe operation and cleaning of small items of equipment – to include soup kettles, coffee machines, ice machines, blenders, dishwashers, countertop ovens, toasters etc used daily within the outlets.
• Function Waiting/ service to table, Bar Service (with relevant training), and assistance with buffet service when required.
• Follow all laid down processes and procedures relating to food preparation, health, hygiene and welfare, temperature checking and waste management.
• To work within and to be aware of EH, COSHH and Health and Safety Guidelines.
• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene, and work in a clean and tidy manner.
• Front and back of house cleaning activities as necessary.
• Any other relevant duties which may be required from time to time or as the service develops and adapts and may reasonably be expected of the post holder.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to speak and understand English to follow verbal and written instructions and deal with customer/student queries
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Delivers excellent customer service, with a professional and courteous approach
• Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately
• Good attention to detail
• Effective physical ability to carry out the post activities

Desirable

• Experience of working within a similar environment
• Experience of operating relevant catering and or cleaning equipment

If the post holder is in possession of a valid UK Driving License, they will be required to register it with the University Insurance services and drive University vehicles when required to facilitate the provision of services.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part‑time working and job share options.

Equality and Diversity

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.