Canteen Operative

So, what will I be doing?

You will work as an essential part of the Cannington canteen team, supporting the smooth running of daily food service operations. This includes preparing high-quality food items, cooking breakfasts and lunches, producing sandwiches and grab-and-go items, maintaining excellent hygiene standards, and delivering friendly, efficient customer service.

You will contribute to the delivery of daily KPIs, ensuring food safety, efficiency, and a positive customer experience.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Safety

• Work safely at all times, following company Health & Safety policies.
• Ensure equipment is used correctly and maintained in safe working order.
• Promote a positive safety culture and challenge unsafe behaviours.

Quality & Food Standards

• Prepare food to a consistently high standard, following recipes and specifications.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, adhering to HACCP, allergen controls, and clean as you go practices.
• Ensure all sandwiches, salads, and buffet items are produced accurately, attractively, and on time.
• Escalate any quality or food safety concerns immediately.
• Complete all required paperwork clearly and accurately.

Service

• Provide friendly, efficient front-of-house service to staff and visitors.
• Operate the till and process card payments.
• Respond to customer queries or complaints professionally.
• Support menu planning and communicate daily menu items clearly.

Cooking & Food Preparation

• Cook and serve breakfasts and lunches to agreed standards.
• Prepare sandwiches, wraps, salads, and packed items for internal customers.
• Ensure correct portioning, stock rotation, and minimal food waste.

Organisation & Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean, organised working environment at all times.
• Ensure stock is rotated, labelled, and stored correctly.
• Carry out deep cleaning tasks as required.
• Keep preparation areas, fridges, and equipment tidy and compliant with hygiene standards.

People & Teamwork

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to meet daily targets.
• Support new starters with basic training and guidance.
• Participate in team briefings and contribute ideas for improvement.
• Maintain a positive and respectful working environment.

Profit & Efficiency

• Minimise waste and use resources efficiently.
• Support accurate stock control and daily stock checks.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency or reduce costs

Sounds interesting, what do I need? Essential

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Positive attitude, adaptable, and proactive.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high standards.
• Understanding of health & safety and food safety requirements.

Desirable

• Experience in cooking and food preparation, ideally in a canteen, school, café, or restaurant.
• Confident in sandwich preparation and working to production deadlines.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2).

The working hours for this role are 42 hours per week (06:00 - 18:00) working on a 4 on 4 off shift pattern.

You'll also receive the following:

• Competitive holiday allowance
• Non-contributory pension scheme
• Life cover
• Healthcare cash back plan
• Cycle to work scheme subsidised Yeo Valley products
• Services preferential rates with our partners learning and development opportunities; we're committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow.