Job summary
- Main area
- Catering
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Bank
- Hours
- Flexible working
- Other
- Job ref
- 279-7794581-MAR26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Richard's Hospital
- Town
- Chichester
- Salary
- £12.75 per hour
- Salary period
- Hourly
- Closing
- 24/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Bank Chef
Band 3
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced chef/cook to join our food production team at St Richard’s Hospital on a flexible basis.
Working hours: Monday to Friday, working 6 am to 2 pm.
Should you require Additional Support with completing your Application, please contact the Facilities and Estates Recruitment Team via email below:
Before applying for the position, please review the job description and person specifications to ensure your qualifications and experience meet the required criteria.
Main duties of the job
We operate a cook freeze model for our patient meal service at both St. Richards and Worthing Hospitals.
Duties include:
-
Batch cooking using large industrial equipment such as Bratt pans and Tilting kettles.
-
Following set recipe's
-
Working in a tidy manner, clean as you go approach
-
Allergen awareness - prevention of cross-contamination
-
Portioning
-
General preparation
-
Assembling salads
-
Following strict HACCP and Food Hygiene practices and procedures
-
Use of temperature recording devices
-
Understanding of temperature controls
-
Decanting foodstuffs ready for next days production
-
Awareness of special diets
-
Date labelling and understanding of stock rotation
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
To safely prepare consistently high quality meals to specified standards in order to meet the nutritional needs and personal expectations of our patients, staff and customers.
To work in accordance with HACCP procedures and current food safety legislation.
The post holder is required to work in a busy industrial kitchen. They will be exposed to heat, cold and noise on a daily basis. The position requires the post holder to be their feet for the whole of their shift and exercise manual dexterity.
The post holder will work as part of a team of catering staff responsible for the effective day to day delivery of food and beverage service across multi sites. The service provides in excess of 20,000 meals per week to approx. 1000 hospital beds and various departments within the Trust. Food production is a mix of cook-chill and cook freeze.
For further details, please refer to the full job description and person specification.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good standard of English and Maths
- City and guilds NVQ 3 in cookery or Level 2 with relevant industry experience
- L2 Food Safety Award or previous experience in food safety and hygiene practices and procedures.
Desirable criteria
- L2 Healthier Food & Special Diets
- L2 Allergen Awareness
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience with batch cooking
- Understanding of HACCP systems and able to maintain a safe working environment.
- Knowledge and experience of food production and service procedures
Skills
Essential criteria
- Effective communication skills – verbal and written. Must be able to read & understand written instructions, food safety/quality assurance documents and menu requirements.
- Must be physically fit as the post is physically demanding. Able to move around the department easily and safely. Must be able to demonstrate manual dexterity.
- Effective organisational skills and ability to manage time and prioritise work.
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
EDI
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natalie Matthews
- Job title
- Food Production Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01243 788122
- Additional information
ext 32095
List jobs with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in Support Services or all sectors