About this role
Job summary The Catering department has an exciting opportunity to join the team at Heartlands Hospital. As a Catering Operative, you will play a vital role in supporting the catering team by managing the receipt, storage and distribution of food and kitchen supplies. You will ensure that all stock is handled efficiently, stored safely and issued accurately to meet the needs of the kitchen and service areas. This role requires strong attention to detail, good organisational skills and a commitment to maintaining high standards of hygiene and food safety. You will work closely with the picking and packing team, delivery drivers and other team members to ensure smooth day-to-day operations within the catering stores environment.
Main duties of the job
The Catering Operative plays a vital role in supporting the Catering Department by ensuring the efficient receipt, storage, stock control and distribution of food, beverages, consumables, and catering supplies. The post holder will be responsible for checking deliveries against orders, rotating stock using FIFO principles, maintaining accurate stock records and ensuring all food safety, HACCP, COSHH and Trust procedures are followed.
Daily duties include receiving and inspecting deliveries, storing goods appropriately within dry, chilled and frozen areas, replenishing stock to fridges and freezers, conducting stock checks, reporting shortages or discrepancies and maintaining high standards of cleanliness within stores and other work areas. The role involves regular manual handling and the use of equipment such as cages and trolleys.
The successful candidate will have good organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. A commitment to excellent service standars, food safety standards and maintaining a safe working environment is essential. Previous experience of stock control, stores work, or catering operations would be advantageous, although full training will be provided.
This role requires flexibility, reliability and the ability to work in chilled environments while supporting the delivery of high-quality catering services to patients, staff, and visitors.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job description Job responsibilities *Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
*GCSE Equivalent in English and Maths *Basic Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to undertake in the induction period
Desirable
*Relevant Catering qualifications *Higher Catering Education *Other Education
Experience Essential
*Health and Safety or willingness to undertake in induction period *Food Hygiene Regulations or willingness to undertake in induction period *Willingness to undertake specific competencies to meet the full requirements of the role
Desirable
*Previous Catering Work Experience *Previous Hospital or Care Experience *Catering related knowledge *Allergy Regulations
Additional Criteria Essential
*Literate with basic I.T skills *Read and understand written documentation *Verbally communicate with people *Presentable *Work in large teams *Able to work in hot and cold environments *Time keeping
Desirable
* Driving License
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address Heartlands Hospital
Bordesley Green E
Birmingham
West Midlands
B9 5SS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)