Job Description

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

: 9am Monday 3 November 2025

Job Title:

Catering Assistant

Reports to:

Front of House Team Leaders

Hours:

32 hours pw. Seasonal contract to 2 March 2026

Salary:

NMW / NLW

Location:

The Furnace Kitchen, Coalbrookdale, with the expectation of working at other Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust sites when required.

Function:

As Catering Assistant, you are responsible for hygiene and cleanliness within the food preparation areas to ensure the kitchen is always clean and operational. Working under the guidance of the Cook and the Front of House Team Leaders, your job will include carrying out basic food preparation and kitchen tasks along with general front of house duties.

As a member of the Furnace Kitchen team you will work collaboratively across service disciplines to maximise the flexibility of the team and to ensure efficient and effective customer service.

You will always strive to put our customers at the heart of everything we do.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide an excellent customer service experience for our customers Ensure food preparation areas, equipment, floors and kitchen tools are clean and hygienic Wash utensils and dishes and make sure they are stored appropriately Sort, store and distribute ingredients Assist in food preparation and service Work in collaboration with the Front of House Team to ensure service exceeds customer expectations Process accurate food and drinks orders Help prepare beautifully presented breakfast and lunch dishes Work in accordance with all Health & Safety and hygiene regulations.

Person Specification

Essential:

Previous kitchen experience or food, beverage and restaurant industry knowledge Understanding the importance of health & safety and hygiene A great team player with a positive attitude Self-motivated Ability to work under pressure Exceptional customer service skills.

Desirable:

Formal culinary training Strong organizational skills with attention to detail Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Staff benefits

include:

Paid annual leave up to 33 days (includes public holidays), pro-rata for part-time staff Auto enrolment to the Nest Pension Scheme for eligible staff Optional health cash plan through Paycare Free on-site parking.
Participation in a

Staff Membership Scheme

which includes:

Free unlimited daytime standard entry to all museums for staff member plus one accompanying adult and up to four children 20% discount on catering spend, including the Furnace Kitchen 20% discount on retail spend 20% discount on retail spend in Victorian exhibits at Blists Hill 4 free standard day-time admission passes for use by friends and family accompanying staff member Discount on special event tickets.

About the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is an industrial heritage organisation which runs ten museums and manages multiple historic sites within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site in Shropshire, England, widely considered as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

The Trust operates various food outlets including the recently opened flagship restaurant The Furnace Kitchen. As well as visitor catering outlets the Museum also offers various Conference & Banqueting and Wedding and Event locations across our sites.

Our commitment to diversity and equality is a long-standing one. We believe arts organisations, museums, and libraries should ensure that their work draws on and reflects the full range of backgrounds and perspectives to be found in our society.

Disabled, D/deaf and/or neurodivergent people, those from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds are under-represented in our workforce so we particularly encourage applications from people in these groups.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 5 months

Pay: Up to 12.21 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 32 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Free parking On-site parking Store discount
Work Location: In person