Responsibilities
* Support the operational management of the catering service, ensuring the consistent delivery of high standards of food quality and service.
* Maintain adequate staffing levels in line with agreed rotas and shift patterns to meet service demands.
* Supervise and support Catering Supervisors and Catering Assistants, ensuring effective team performance.
* Work collaboratively with other departments and support services to ensure an efficient and responsive catering operation.
* Ensure full compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
* Monitor service delivery and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
* Assist in training, development, and performance management of catering staff.
About You
* Proven experience in a catering or food service environment, ideally within a healthcare setting.
* Experience managing or supervising a large workforce.
* Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
* Good understanding of food safety standards and hygiene regulations.
* Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
* NHS experience is desirable but not essential.
About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Kitchen / Patient Meals Team Leader to support the Patient Meals Service Manager in the day-to-day management of Catering Services. This is a key role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality food services to patients, visitors, and staff, in line with agreed specifications and Trust standards.
Working Pattern: Working every other weekend with days off in the week
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
Contact: Natasha Faber, Patient Meals Manager, natasha.faber@nhs.net
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
Benefits
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
* National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
* Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
* Car lease schemes.
* The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
* Cycle to work scheme.
Compensation and Employment Details
* Salary Band 4: £28,392 to £31,157 per annum pro rata
* Frequency Annual
* Vacancy Reference 185-63302-13388
* Contract Type Permanent
* Closing Date 23 June, 2026
* Job Category Cleaning & Facilities
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