Job Description

Head Cook: Redwood Centre, Haywards Heath

Responsible to:Centre Manager

Responsible for:Kitchen Assistant and kitchen volunteers

Hours:25 hours per week Monday to Friday

Main purpose of job:

To manage the centre catering serviceto provide goodquality home-made food

and profitable menus.

Main Duties:

  1. To provide good quality home-made food for the centre members, visitors and staff.
  1. To ensure profitable menus in line with targeted GP and trends, reviewed regularly.
  1. To develop the catering operation to increase centre attendance.
  1. To supervisethe Kitchen Assistant and oversee holiday and sickness absence, training and performance.
  1. To supervise kitchen and food-servingvolunteers including recruitment, training, support and meetings.
  1. To be responsible for kitchen record keeping management ensuring compliance with food industry regulations including Health and Safety and Food Safety legislation.
  1. To source suppliers for all food and consumables stock ensuring best prices obtained and reviewed regularly.
  1. To order stock and ensuregood stock controlis maintained including carryingout monthly stocktakes. Process invoices for payment to head office.
  1. To ensure cleaning is carried out to good hygiene standards and in compliance with Food Safety, H & S and COSHH regulations.
  1. To consult with members regarding feedback and menu development.
  1. To promote menus in an effective and creative way within the centre to increase sales.
  1. To ensure all kitchen equipment is working correctly, serviced, and repairs organised for faulty equipment adhering to AWS and Health and Safety procedures.
  1. To update cateringrisk assessments and ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations for the food operation.
  1. To assist the centre managerto develop membership for the centre to achieve income target.
  1. To assist the centre team with fundraising for the centre to achieve targeted income.
  1. To provide buffets or hirers’ requested menus.
  1. To provide a full range of catering for outreach community club venues as requested
  1. To act as a first aider, key holder and fire marshal.
  1. To work extra hours to cover other kitchen team members both at the centre and at other AWS centres as requested to cover absence.
  1. To attend training and meetings as arranged by the Mid Sussex Manager.
  1. To comply with processes and policies of the centre in line with Age UK West Sussex’s management systems.
  1. Undertake any other duties appropriate within the role as may be reasonably required by the Mid Sussex Manager and Head of Wellbeing Services.

Job Description agreed by:

Post holder (Print name):
Signature:
Date:
Mid Sussex Manager: / Alyson Smith
Date:
Head of Wellbeing Services: / Kim Fleming
Signature:
Date:

Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / L2 Food Hygiene Certificate / Health & Safety
First Aider
Knowledge and experience / Commercial cooking experience
Stock control
Compliance of Food Hygiene Regulations
Working to financial targets
Team supervision and training
Menu costing and development
Cleaning standards
Understanding of the needs of promoting independence, dignity and respect of older people / Working with volunteers
Skills and abilities / Common sense and a practical approach to problem solving.
Good organisational skills
Good communications skills
Good customer service skills
Able to work independently and use initiative
Able to remain calm when faced with challenging situations
Able to negotiate
Able to prioritise own and team’s workloads
Able to use Outlook, basic Word and Excel
Good literacy and numeracy skills
Able to handle cash accurately
Able to motivate team members
Personal Qualities / Commitment to equal opportunities
Ability to relate well to people from a wide range of backgrounds
Any other factors / Be physically fit and able to put stock away, lift pans and items, keep kitchen clean and stand during a shift.
Willing to take part in appropriate training outside of contracted hours if requested
Willing to take part in appropriate fundraising activities which may be outside of contracted hours
Willing to work flexibly including working in external venues and extra hours to cover the team members when absent

V3 November 2016