East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Catering Assistant

The closing date is 29 January 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a first class Catering Assistant to work within Catering at Conquest Hospital.

You will be working as part of a varied Team within ESHT carrying out an important roll within Catering ensuring the patients receive the nutrition they require in a safe and hygienic manner. This position is very varied and you will liaise with Catering staff and Ward staff.

Main duties of the job

Are you passionate about food service and being part of a team that makes a real difference every day? We're looking for an enthusiastic Catering Assistantto join our friendly Hospital Catering Department. In this role, you'll help deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to patients, staff, and visitors while working in a dedicated team to provide outstanding service.

What We're Looking For

  • A love for delivering an amazing food service.
  • A positive, proactive team player.
  • Can do attitude with flexibility.
  • A true team player who enjoys working collaboratively.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

  • Supportive, friendly team environment.
  • Make a real impact on patient wellbeing and visitor experience.
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities.
  • Great NHS benefits, including pension, staff discounts, and wellbeing support.

What You'll Do

  • Be part of a team that delivers catering services t patients, staff and visitors
  • Assist in the moving of food trollies.
  • Clearing and cleaning trollies and service areas. .
  • Ensure compliance with food safety and health & safety standards.
  • Support the team in all areas of the department.

If you're a motivated catering superstar who takes pride in great food and teamwork, we'd love to hear from you! Apply today and be part of something that truly matters.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

374-LCLL0175

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Evidence of standard level of education to GCSE level
  • Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Desirable

  • 706/1 or equivalent craft qualification (NVQ)
  • Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate Knowledge of HACCP

Experience

Essential

  • Basic food production knowledge

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Essential

  • Physically able to lift weights of up to 56lbs
  • Motivated
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good team worker

Other

Essential

  • A recognition that a flexible pattern is required according to the needs of the service
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Evidence of standard level of education to GCSE level
  • Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Desirable

  • 706/1 or equivalent craft qualification (NVQ)
  • Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate Knowledge of HACCP

Experience

Essential

  • Basic food production knowledge

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Essential

  • Physically able to lift weights of up to 56lbs
  • Motivated
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good team worker

Other

Essential

  • A recognition that a flexible pattern is required according to the needs of the service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Catering Services Manager

Martin Gurney

martin.gurney1@nhs.net

07484942601

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

374-LCLL0175

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Supporting documents

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