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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to deliver exceptional catering experiences and maintain food standards.
- Company: Be part of the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis Partnership.
- Benefits: Enjoy free food on workdays, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Experience a vibrant culture focused on kindness, respect, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Flexibility, passion for food, and teamwork skills are essential; kitchen experience is a plus.
- Other info: Part-time role with 15 hours per week, including weekends.
About the role
Our Catering Assistants in our John Lewis shops, you\’ll work in either our customer restaurants or behind-the-scenes in our Partner dining rooms. Wherever you work, you\’ll offer the great customer service we\’re known for. It can be fast-paced but by taking great pride in your food preparation and presentation standards, you\’ll ensure the best possible catering experience. You\’ll also support with other catering related tasks, including stock replenishment and storage of deliveries. Our Catering Partners enjoy free food in our dining rooms on their working days and being based in our shops, there is no split shifts or late evening work.
Key Responsibilities
- Work as a team to ensure a smooth catering service.
- Provide positive customer and Partner interactions with a friendly and welcoming attitude. Being an ambassador for the John Lewis brand at all times.
- Follow procedures and instructions using the \’Health and Safety at Work Act\’ and \’Food Safety Act\’ when completing all relevant tasks.
- Ensure stock is replenished and available for our customers.
- Reduce food wastage by ensuring care and due diligence when rotating food stock.
- Act promptly and use your initiative to resolve any issues that arise in the operation.
- Maintain personal hygiene standards.
Essential skills/experience you\’ll need
- Ability to be flexible to work across the whole Catering team and use your initiative to ensure the smooth running of the operation.
- Passion for food.
- Keen eye for detail and high standards in food preparation, hygiene and cleanliness.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Ability to work in a fast paced physically demanding environment.
- Team Work.
- Great customers service.
- Experience of working in a kitchen or a catering environment.
About The Partnership
We\’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We\’re not just employees, we\’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there\’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We\’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we\’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It\’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you\’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
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Catering Assistant employer: John Lewis & Partners
Contact Detail:
John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the John Lewis brand and its values. Understanding their commitment to customer service and quality will help you align your approach during interviews and interactions.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience in catering or customer service roles when networking. Engaging with current employees on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you handle fast-paced environments and teamwork. Think of specific examples from past experiences that demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure and collaborate effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your passion for food and hygiene standards during conversations. Being able to articulate why these aspects are important to you can set you apart as a candidate who truly cares about the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and essential skills required for the Catering Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Strong CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience in catering or customer service. Use bullet points to make it easy to read, and include specific examples of how you've demonstrated teamwork and high hygiene standards.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and customer service. Mention why you want to work for John Lewis Partnership specifically and how you can contribute to their values of kindness, respect, and inclusion.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and catering during the interview. Share any relevant experiences or personal stories that highlight your love for food, as this aligns with the company's values and the role's requirements.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working closely with a team, be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous jobs. Highlight your ability to support colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment.
✨Understand Health and Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with basic health and safety procedures, particularly those related to food handling and hygiene. Being able to discuss these standards confidently will show that you take the role seriously and are committed to maintaining high standards.
✨Prepare for Customer Interaction Scenarios
Think about potential customer service scenarios you might encounter in the role. Be ready to share how you would handle difficult situations or ensure a positive experience for customers, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and friendly attitude.
