Job Description

Catering and Customer Service Assistant

We are seeking a Catering and Customer Service Assistant to join our team and social enterprise at The Gatelodge Cafe Newtownards.

As well as being a busy cafe, The Gatelodge Cafe provides a practical work environment for our learning disability trainees to learn hospitality and customer service skills. The successful applicant will assist in the smooth running of the cafe and will play a key role in supporting and developing our learning disability trainees.

Job Title:

Catering and Customer Service Assistant

Hours:

20 Hours per week

Ref:

SS2503

Reporting to:

Cafe Manager

Responsible for:

Delivering a high standard of food and customer service and supporting our learning disability trainees.

Location:

The Gatelodge Cafe, Church Street, Newtownards

Salary:

Aged 21 and over: 12.21 per hour

Aged 18-20: 10 per hour

Pension:

7% employer contribution

Holiday entitlement:

25 Days per annum plus 11 statutory days (Pro Rata)

Hours of work:

20 hours per week: Monday - Friday, 11.30am-3.30pm

Other Benefits

:

Private Healthcare and access to health and wellbeing platforms

Holiday Purchase "Buy Back Scheme"

25% Discount in our Social Enterprises

Volunteer Scheme - Up to 2 days annual leave to volunteer with other charities / community groups

Employee Assistance Scheme

Take 2 Mental Health Hours

Birthday Day Off

Half Day Christmas Shopping

Death in Service Benefit

Key Duties

Ensure a clean, friendly, and positive working environment throughout the cafe for staff and trainees whilst maintaining high levels of customer service.

To serve customers in a friendly and timely fashion to a high standard, recommend specials, take orders, liaise with kitchen staff, display and serve food and drinks in a professional manner.

To re-stock fridges, condiments and food display areas throughout the day and clean/clear and re-dress tables in a timely fashion.

Assist in ensuring a professional display of all food items, maintaining a clean and professional working environment in order to meet the customer needs, expectations, trends, and seasonal changes in a competitive market environment.

Deal with customer queries and payments.

Keep up to date to with all food items served in the cafe, allergens, and ingredients, in order to provide accurate information for customers.

Trainee Welfare

Work with the rest of the team to maintain an environment suitable for learning, encouraging and supporting the trainees to gain appropriate employment and social skills and provide them with opportunities to develop their confidence.

Support trainees to complete various jobs such as cleaning, taking orders, setting tables, by providing them with adequate support in accordance with their learning needs.

Feed into other Stepping Stones NI Staff/Departments in relation to the development and progression of people with a learning disability.

Ensure the health and safety of clients and report any incident, or safeguarding incident, using the appropriate processes.

Keep accurate trainee records using our internal database "EVIDE" and feed into organisation's reporting of trainee progression and ISO.

Health & Safety

Ensure that all duties are carried out to comply with:

The Health and Safety at Work (N.I.) Order 1978. Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements. Agreed Codes of Practice; including the COSHH Regulations and Safe Working Practices manuals. Ensure that all equipment is maintained in an appropriate and safe manner, with any defects being reported immediately. Co-operate with staff and Management to maintain our Health and Safety policy i.e. reporting and recording accidents using accident books, relevant paperwork. Undertake Health and Safety and Environmental training as identified by Stepping Stones NI.

General

Ensure that high levels of customer focus are always maintained. To comply with organisational code of practice and attend all mandatory training to ensure compliance. All staff are to contribute to the continual improvement of the Quality management system. Comply fully with Stepping Stones NI Safeguarding Procedures. Ensure accurate record keeping in line with organisational data protection and confidentiality policy. To attend any meetings as and when required, for example team meetings. Ensure compliance in all activities in accordance with the Company's Equal Opportunities Policy. Conduct all activities with confidentiality and in accordance with the requirements of Data Protection Legislation and the Company's Policies and Procedures. To communicate effectively with customers, staff, and all stakeholders of Stepping Stones NI in a professional manner understanding Stepping Stones NI values.
This list is not exhaustive, and the role of the Catering and Customer Service Assistant may change to meet the nature of the business and service.

Person Specification

Essential Education & Attainments:

GCSE English and Math's or equivalent (Level 2 Essential Skills).

Food Hygiene Certificate - Level 1.

Minimum 1 years' experience gained within the last 5 years of working in a hospitality environment.

Availability to work specified hours

Understanding of the issues/barriers faced by adults with learning disabilities in relation to working in a cafe environment.

Experience of cash handling

Computer literate.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to display merchandise professionally.

Ability to work as part of a team and be flexible and adaptable to effectively prioritise tasks.

Reliable attendance and timekeeping.

Desirable Criteria

Current Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2.

Experience of working with adults with learning disability.

1 years' Barista experience - provision of quality coffee

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: Up to 12.21 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

Newtonards, BT23 4AS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 25/04/2025
Reference ID: SS2503