At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality catering service and ensure excellent customer experience in a hospital setting.
- Company: Join Serco, a global leader in delivering essential public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, inclusive culture, and guaranteed interview for eligible applicants.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on communities while working in a supportive healthcare environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and ability to follow food safety procedures.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, FK5 4WR
Hourly Rate: £14.22 plus excellent benefits (enhancement for weekend shifts)
Schedule: Fixed Term Contract 6-months, Part-time, 20 hours per week, working 5 days over 7 with 4-hour shifts between 7am and 8pm
As a Retail Catering Assistant in our Health team, you'll help deliver a high-quality catering service for patients, visitors and colleagues, ensuring excellent customer service, safe food preparation, and a welcoming environment across hospital retail outlets.
In this role, you'll help create a positive experience for everyone who visits the hospital by providing fresh food, maintaining high hygiene standards, and supporting a service that people can rely on. Your contribution will help us make a positive impact on communities while supporting healthcare environments that put care and trust at the heart of everything they do.
What you'll do as a Retail Catering Assistant:
- Provide a friendly, courteous and efficient catering service to patients, visitors and colleagues.
- Prepare and serve food and beverages to agreed quality, safety and presentation standards.
- Operate tills and handle cash accurately, following all cash handling procedures.
- Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness, including cleaning equipment, work surfaces and floors.
- Support retail sales by promoting offers and helping maximise revenue opportunities.
- Store and rotate stock correctly, minimising waste and ensuring products remain fresh and available.
Does this sound like you?
- Experience delivering excellent customer service in a catering, hospitality or retail environment.
- Able to follow food safety, health and safety, and hygiene procedures consistently.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to interact positively with a wide range of people.
- Flexible and reliable, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and support different retail functions.
- A team player who shows care, empathy and professionalism, particularly within a healthcare setting.
What we offer:
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
- Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme
- Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging.
This role requires membership of the PVG Scheme, which involves a detailed check of spent and unspent convictions and other relevant information to ensure safeguarding compliance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can provide any necessary support to help you carry out your responsibilities.
Let's impact a better future, together. Apply today.
A little bit about us: At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment: We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview.
For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.
Retail Catering Assistant employer: Serco
Serco is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. As a Ward Host Assistant at University Hospital Southampton, you will enjoy flexible shift options and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care, all while being part of a team that values hospitality and customer service excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Catering Assistant
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Serco and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Catering Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Serco that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Serco.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Serco get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Serco and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
