Canteen Operative

Overview

Join the dedicated canteen team at Yeo Valley Organic in Cannington, playing a key role in the smooth operation of daily food services. You will assist in preparing high-quality meals, including breakfast and lunch dishes, as well as sandwiches and grab-and-go items. Maintaining top-notch hygiene standards and offering courteous and efficient customer support are vital aspects of this role.

Key Duties

• Adhere to safety protocols by following health and safety policies and ensuring equipment is correctly used and well maintained.
• Support a culture of safety by positively influencing colleagues and addressing unsafe conduct.
• Consistently produce food items to high quality by following recipes and specifications, while upholding food hygiene standards through HACCP compliance, allergen management, and "clean as you go" methods.
• Accurately and attractively prepare sandwiches, salads, and buffet offerings in a timely manner.
• Promptly report any concerns regarding food quality or safety and maintain precise documentation.
• Deliver friendly, prompt front-of-house service including operating tills, processing payments, resolving customer inquiries and complaints professionally, and assisting with daily menu communication and planning.
• Cook and serve breakfasts and lunches meeting agreed standards; prepare sandwiches, wraps, salads, and packs for internal consumers.
• Manage portion controls, stock rotation, and strive to minimize food waste.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization within the working environment, including fridges, preparation areas, and equipment, complying with hygiene requirements and performing deep cleaning when necessary.
• Rotate, label, and store stock properly to ensure freshness and compliance.
• Collaborate with colleagues to reach daily performance goals, assist new team members by providing basic training and support, and participate in team meetings to share improvement ideas.
• Promote a positive and respectful workplace atmosphere.
• Help minimize waste, efficiently manage resources, support stock control and daily inventory checks, and suggest ways to enhance cost-efficiency and operational effectiveness.
• The position requires a 42-hour workweek, operating on a four-days-on, four-days-off shift pattern from 06:00 to 18:00.

Candidate Profile

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A positive, proactive attitude and flexibility in adapting to changing demands.
• High attention to detail and dedication to maintaining quality standards.
• Basic understanding of health, safety, and food safety guidelines.
• Experience in food preparation and cooking, ideally within canteens, schools, cafés, or restaurants, is preferred.
• Competence in sandwich preparation and meeting production deadlines.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Possession of a Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene Certificate is advantageous.

Additional Information

Yeo Valley Organic is a proud, independent British company, producing premium yogurts, desserts, and ice creams, supplying many leading UK retailers. Operating from multiple sites across Somerset and Devon, the company employs over 1,700 staff and produces more than 25% of the UK's packaged yogurt market.

Employment perks include free parking, top-quality personal protective equipment (PPE), personal lockers, competitive holiday entitlement, a non-contributory pension plan, life insurance coverage, healthcare cashback options, a cycle-to-work scheme, subsidized Yeo Valley products, discounted partner services, and various learning and development opportunities aimed at career growth.

Please note: Employment sponsorship is currently unavailable, and unsolicited agency applications will not be accepted; only applications from preferred suppliers via the recruitment portal are considered.

We encourage early applications, as the vacancy may close sooner than the stated deadlines.