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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious meals and support the shop floor team with customer service.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, a supportive environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values food and customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering or hospitality and a love for serving great food.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and thrive in a culture of kindness and respect.
The predicted salary is between 1300 - 1800 £ per month.
As a Supermarket Assistant Branch Cook, you will be working in the back-of-house of one of our shops in the Partner Dining Room, providing hot and cold food for Partners to enjoy during their break times. When not working in the kitchen, you will support the wider shop floor team as a Supermarket Assistant, providing the distinct service and passion for food that our competitors can’t compete with.
Key Responsibilities
- The smooth running of the overall kitchen with support and direction from the management team.
- Maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe kitchen environment.
- Ensuring portion control, preparation, storage methods and due diligence to avoid food wastage, helping to protect our profits.
- Adhering to high food hygiene standards.
- When not working in the kitchen you will be helping to provide great service to our customers and support with a variety of shop-keeping related tasks including:
- Stock replenishment — ensuring our shelves remain as full as possible and products are in the right place at the right time for our customers.
- Fulfilling online customer orders ready for our drivers to deliver their shopping direct to their doors.
- Reducing wastage by following product due diligence and markdowns to those reaching their sell by dates.
- Working with the wider shop team to support when needed including; checkout support, managing Click & Collect orders, fulfilling on-demand customer orders and more.
- Maintain a safe and tidy working environment with general shopkeeping tasks.
Essential skills/experience you will need
- Experience of working as a cook in a catering or hospitality environment.
- Passionate about food and serving a varied and nutritious menu.
- Customer focused with the ability to engage partners with the food on offer.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness, driving sales within the partner dining room, whilst also controlling costs and wastage.
- Flexible and adaptable to be able to work between kitchen and shop floor as required.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- City & Guilds 706 1 and 2 or NVQ equivalent.
- Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2.
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 will 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.
- 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.
Branch Cook, Supermarket Assistant employer: Waitrose & Partners
Contact Detail:
Waitrose & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Branch Cook, Supermarket Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out their social media and website. Understanding their values will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being a part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience as a cook and your passion for food.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have the chance, bring a dish you've prepared or share a story about a successful meal service. This not only highlights your cooking abilities but also demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that can set you apart from other candidates and shows your eagerness to join the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Branch Cook, Supermarket Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your passion for cooking and serving delicious meals. We want to see how you can bring that enthusiasm to our kitchen.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to mention any previous roles you've had in catering or hospitality. We’re looking for cooks who know their way around a kitchen, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills and experience!
Be Customer-Focused: Since you'll be engaging with our Partners, it’s important to demonstrate your customer service skills. Include examples of how you've provided excellent service in the past, whether in a kitchen or on the shop floor.
Apply Early Through Our Website: We recommend applying as soon as possible since we might close vacancies early if we get a lot of applications. Head over to our website to submit your application and make sure you don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waitrose & Partners
✨Know Your Kitchen Basics
Brush up on your cooking skills and food hygiene standards before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience in a catering or hospitality environment, and how you maintain a clean and safe kitchen. This shows your passion for food and commitment to high standards.
✨Showcase Your Customer Focus
Prepare examples of how you've engaged with customers in previous roles. Highlight your ability to provide excellent service and how you can contribute to creating a positive dining experience for Partners. Remember, they want someone who can connect with their customers!
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Be ready to talk about your adaptability between kitchen duties and shop floor tasks. Share specific instances where you've successfully juggled multiple responsibilities, as this role requires a hands-on approach in both areas.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the company’s values and mission. Show that you understand the importance of reducing food wastage and driving sales. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and alignment with their goals, making you a more attractive candidate.
