Kitchen Assistant/Catering Assistant
Job Description
Job Title: Catering Assistants
Salary: £24,414 per annum pro rata to hours worked
Grade: TLW
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Part-time 15 - 25 Hours per Week (Service Dependant) Term-Time
Casual Contract Hours As & When Required also available.
Thurrock Catering Services provides Bronze Food for Life, award winning lunchtime meals at 24 Primary Schools, 3 Secondary Schools and 2 Alternative Provision Academies within the Borough, serving more than one million meals each year to children and school staff.
Due to continued expansion and growth of our service which now includes catering for Grangewaters Residential Groups and Holiday Activity Feeding Events, an opportunity now exists to work in a friendly and flexible environment within school kitchens in Thurrock.
You will be required to support the catering team to prepare, produce, and deliver an excellent standard food service to the staff and pupils at schools in Thurrock. You will be involved with all activities in the school kitchen, counter display and dining room area and must be prepared to cover where-ever required across Thurrock in other schools if needed. You will need to promote the service and keep abreast of new products, promotions, and any changes in legislation.
Your main responsibilities will include:
Promotion of the Catering Service and supporting the Head of Kitchen and Area Supervisors to keep abreast of new products & legislation.
Support the Catering Services to organise and deliver a high standard of service and customer care.
Support the Catering Services by undertaking and overseeing the management of food production, service delivery and promotions to increase sales as required.
Work as part of a team undertaking regular 1-2-1's, annual appraisals and any training required.
Support the Catering Service to increase uptake and business growth.
Full workplace training will be given, which includes food hygiene and safety training. A flexible approach with a ‘can-do’ attitude is required together with a pleasant personality and excellent customer care ethics.
Previous experience in a similar role would be an advantage.
The successful candidate must be available and able to start on 1st September 2025.
DBS Check: Enhanced level with Children's Barred List is required for this post
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Important Dates
Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 7th August 2025
Closing Date (Internal & External): 17th August 2025
Interview Date : TBC
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Jayne Darlow - Catering Operations Manager
07920 232616
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
About us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
Salary range
- £24,414 per year