Job overview
As a Catering Supervisor within the Catering Department, you will be pivotal in delivering safe, nutritious, and high-quality food services across the hospital. You will be responsible for upholding the highest cleanliness, food safety, and hygiene standards while ensuring operational efficiency and exceptional service delivery.
As part of a dedicated and collaborative team, you will be the critical link between front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Your leadership will promote clear communication, strong teamwork, and a positive work culture throughout the department.
Please be aware that this role is not currently eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants should be aware of the requirement to independently obtain ongoing right to work in the UK beyond the expiry of any temporary or time-limited permissions. Evidence of this will need to be shared with the HR Team to ensure our records remain up to date.
Main duties of the job
The key responsibilities for this role are:
Oversee daily catering operations to consistently deliver high-quality meals to patients, visitors, and staff, maintaining standards in presentation, nutrition, and service.
To lead and motivate the catering team, providing guidance, performance feedback, and support to ensure efficiency, morale, and a collaborative working environment.
Support food preparation and service across all department areas, ensuring compliance with dietary requirements, allergen management, and portion control.
Adhere to food safety and hygiene regulations, including HACCP protocols, and ensure all documentation and due diligence records are up to date and audit-ready.
Collaborate with senior catering managers to develop and implement seasonal menus, offering insight from frontline operations to ensure menus are practical, compliant, and patient-focused.
Coordinate staff training and onboarding, ensuring all team members understand safety procedures, service expectations, and their roles within the team.
Troubleshoot operational challenges such as equipment faults, staffing shortages, or last-minute dietary changes, using initiative and communication to minimise service disruption.
Foster a culture of accountability and excellence, ensuring all catering assistants understand and uphold the standards expected in a healthcare environment.
Working for our organisation
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
This post is part of the Estates service that Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust may transfer to a NHS wholly owned subsidiary company from October or November 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing, expanding, organisation with a strong commitment to NHS values and putting patients first. The NHS wholly owned subsidiary will continue to offer NHS Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions to staff who transfer as well as new staff it recruits itself. We look forward to receiving your application.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Person specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential criteria
* NVQ Level 3 Or equivalent experience
* NVQ Level 2 Or equivalent experience
* Food Safety Level 3
* Advanced Food Hygiene Diploma
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
* Understanding of hospital dietary guidelines and medical conditions affecting diet, such as diabetes, renal issues, or cardiovascular diseases.
* Awareness of allergen management and special diets (e.g. gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan).
* Familiarity with food safety laws and certifications (e.g. Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or 3).
* Knowledge of safe equipment usage and kitchen sanitation practices.
* Experience in cooking for large groups, ideally in healthcare, schools, or other institutional settings
* 3 years in industry or 2 years college
* Ability to manage kitchen supplies efficiently, minimizing waste while ensuring availability of key ingredients
* Familiarity with healthcare environments or working alongside medical staff is a strong advantage.
* Knowledge of operating commercial kitchen equipment like steamers, ovens, and food processors.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential criteria
* Proficiency in preparing a variety of dishes, including specialized dietary meals such as low-sodium, diabetic, and allergen-free options
* Knowledge of portion control, plating standards, and food presentation.
* Ability to create diverse menus that meet nutritional requirements and cater to specific patient needs
* Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a high-demand environment
* Capacity to manage multiple tasks and deliver meals within strict timeframes.
* Adherence to HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles and hospital-specific hygiene standards.
* Proper handling, storage, and preparation of food to minimize contamination risks.
* Effective communication with dietitians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
* A patient-focused attitude, ensuring meals meet both nutritional and individual preferences.
* Quick thinking to address last-minute changes to dietary requirements or supply issues
* Ability to work collaboratively with kitchen staff, assistants, and other hospital teams
Our Mission
Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision
Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values
Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.
You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.