Caterlink - cook

Company Description

Caterlink is the education sector catering specialist. For over 20 years, the Company has delivered fresh food solutions to pupils and staff at Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges across the UK. The company caters more than 1,000,000 meals a week. Our “Fresh Food Policy” is the foundation of our success and growth in the market coupled with a desire to truly deliver on the promises we make to our clients and support our site-based teams.

Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and organised Cook to join our team at Caterlink in Torquay. initially for a 3 month period. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated professional who is passionate about delivering nutritionally balanced, high-quality food and exceptional service to our clients and their customers. Working on a part time basis with no weekends, this role offers the flexibility many professionals are seeking whilst making a real difference to the communities we serve.

• Prepare, cook, and present food to the exacting standards required by Caterlink and our clients, ensuring consistency and excellence in every dish - Ensure the location meets all statutory and company requirements relating to Health and Safety, Food Safety, and environmental legislation, maintaining meticulous compliance records
• Enhance the company's reputation for outstanding food and service by consistently exceeding client and customer expectations through innovative approaches and continuous improvement - Manage the day-to-day operations of the location, including supervising teams, managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing strategic action plans to drive efficiency
• Serve as the primary point of contact for our client, fostering strong relationships and ensuring regular communication regarding adjustments, improvements, and service enhancements - Communicate transparently with your line manager to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial targets, ensuring organisational goals are achieved
• Support, train, and develop team members by leading from the front, ensuring all induction and ongoing training is completed and performance is managed fairly and constructively - Analyse operational data and implement evidence-based improvements to enhance service delivery and team performance - Champion a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where every team member is treated with respect, integrity, and fairness

Qualifications

**Required Skills and Experience:** - Proven experience in food preparation, cooking, and presentation to professional standards - Demonstrated knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and compliance procedures - Strong understanding of Food Safety regulations and environmental legislation - Proficiency in inventory management and budget monitoring - Proven supervisory and team leadership experience

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Experience in training, induction, and performance management - Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities - Experience in institutional or contract catering environments **Desirable Skills and Experience:** - Experience managing catering operations within educational settings - Knowledge of nutritional standards and balanced meal planning - Experience implementing process improvements and innovations
• Familiarity with catering management systems and software **Essential Qualifications:** - Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or Level 3) - Ability to work flexibly on a term-time basis with no weekend commitments **Personal Attributes:**
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to maintaining high standards - Collaborative approach to working with teams and clients - Resilient and decisive in managing operational challenges - Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to service excellence - Organised and efficient in managing multiple priorities - Empathetic and supportive leadership style - Motivated to contribute to a diverse and inclusive workplace

Additional Information

There are many advantages to working for us including:

• You have the opportunity of a blended learning programme that can include formal qualifications including apprenticeships, classroom training, eLearning and on the job training to support and encourage your development and enable you to be the best you can be
• We offer you access to our Employee Discount Platform where you can make great savings at supermarkets, cinema, restaurants as well as holiday discounts, family days out and many more!
• You will have full access to our Wellbeing Services including the Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits which are there for you and your family to use free of charge at any time
• You may be eligible to join our Pension scheme