Bank Catering Team Leader
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) – Closing date 09 June 2026
Job Details
Band: 3
Salary: £12.75 to £13.60 an hour
Contract: Bank
Working pattern: Flexible working
Job Summary
The post holder will work as part of a team of catering staff responsible for the effective day‑to‑day delivery of food & beverage services across multiple sites. The services provide in excess of 20,000 meals per week to almost 1,000 hospital beds and various departments within the Trust.
Main Duties of the Job
* Supervise the food and beverage service at ward level, ensuring all food hygiene, HACCP and Health and Safety legislation is adhered to.
* Ensure cleaning is maintained in ward pantry and associated areas in line with Trust cleaning regulations.
* Be on feet for the majority of the shift, visiting wards to support and monitor catering service staff.
* Maintain excellent communication and working relationships within own team, and with staff in other departments.
* Communicate service issues or changes to the wider team.
* Monitor and support ward service staff to ensure high standards, highlighting issues and explaining correct methods.
* Liaise with dieticians, speech and language therapists, nurses and patients with complex dietary requirements to decide suitable meal plans.
* Support ward service staff in responding to difficult situations, maintaining professional diplomacy with nursing staff.
* Make sound judgements, escalating concerns to ward service managers as necessary.
* Respond to staffing issues and cover rotas where required to maintain continuity of service.
Visa and Legal Information
This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. If applying on a Graduate visa, a minimum of 18 months remaining is required.
Experience and Qualifications
* Food and Hygiene Certificate Level 2
* Good understanding of English and maths
* Experience working in a catering environment
* Ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision and problem solve
* Understanding of HACCP systems and ability to implement
* Experience managing a team (desirable)
* Customer service experience (desirable)
* Relevant work experience in a professional cook or freeze kitchen environment (desirable)
Skills
* Effective verbal and written communication skills
* Ability to communicate effectively with other team members
* Ability to mentor and direct junior staff members
* Organisational skills and ability to manage time and prioritise work
* Knowledge of how to set rotas effectively to cover service requirements
* Ability to recommend improvements to work practices to enhance efficiency
People Management and Development
* Ability to supervise and manage junior catering staff in a busy environment
* Checking of daily cleaning schedules and ward services
* Understanding Patient First principles
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (Essential)
* Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles
* Evidence of self‑development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check is required.
Contact
Ward Services Manager: Gina Luciano
gina.luciano@nhs.net
01903205111
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