Driver & general assistant

The Role

Ready to be at the heart of University events? We’re looking for Driver & General Assistant to join our fast-paced on campus Event Catering team.

You’ll be on the move responsible for driving and delivering. You will set up and collect food, beverages and equipment that help bring events to life across campus.

A clean, valid UK driving licence is essential for this post as you will be moving and delivering catering and event equipment throughout our 50 acre city campus. While Event Catering will be your main base, you’ll also jump in to support other catering units when needed, making this a varied, hands-on role where no two days are the same. While our main campus is located city centre on occasions travel outside of the main campus may be required to sites such as Cochrane Park of University farms.

This is a permanent, full-time position (37 hours per week.) Normal days of work are Monday to Friday, with core hours 10am to 6pm, but you will be required to work weekends or evenings depending on business need, plus overtime is required during events such as Open Days.

You will benefit from 42 days annual leave per year (includes 30 days leave plus 4-day Christmas closure and 8 bank holidays). You will also benefit from a USS pension of 14.5%.

To be successful you must hold a Full Uk driving license, you should be customer service orientated with a can-do positive attitude and great team player.

For informal enquires about this role, please email in the first instance.

Interviews will take place week commencing 17 August 2026.

To apply please answer mandatory questions below, interviews will be held early May. Successfully appointed applicant will be required to complete necessary DVLA checks Occupational health surveillance.

Key Accountabilities

To prepare, serve, sell and deliver quality food and beverages to meet the demand of customers ensuring items are replenished and portion control is exercised in line with Service Policy and Procedure

To clean and maintain designated interior and/or exterior catering areas and associated equipment, fixtures and fittings within them to pre-determined cleaning schedules and frequencies in order to ensure a high standard of hygiene at all times

To follow Statutory Food Hygiene, Health and Safety and Liquor Licensing Legislation, and University and Accommodation & Hospitality Services’ Policies and Procedures when undertaking tasks in order to ensure a clean, safe and secure environment for customers

To identify and report any defects, damage or hazards in the workplace e.g. to fixtures and fittings and equipment to ensure corrective action is carried out promptly and taking immediate action where possible to warn others and/or remove hazards e.g. cordon off area, place warning sign or immediately mopping up a spillage

Where required, assist with receipt of incoming stock, issue and control, using predetermined checklists, pricing and product rotation in order to ensure an efficient service and minimal wastage

To deal with any customer queries or complaints to ensure continued customer satisfaction, referring more complex matters to line manager

To support the Service’s commitment to training and development by participating fully in training courses designed to improve personal skill levels and knowledge

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Experience of working in hospitality and catering environment

Literate and numerate

Clean, valid UK driving licence

Desirable

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Manual Handling Training

Barista Training

Knowledge of Health and Safety

Attributes and Behaviour

Customer focussed approach

Ability to communicate clearly

Must be a good team worker and equally able to work alone

Flexible and adaptable approach

Standards orientated

Ability to prioritise workload and remain calm under pressure

Positive approach to personal and skill development

Able to work in other locations as required

Working in a customer orientated service environment

Reliable and dependable

Smart appearance

Qualifications

Desirable

Food Safety for Caterers Level 2 Certificate

British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) –Food Premises Cleaning Certificate

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a Gold award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. Requisition ID: 29079