Unit Catering Supervisor | Vale View Day Centre | Lancaster

Make a Difference Through Great Food

Lancashire County Council is dedicated to providing comprehensive in-house catering services to 16 residential care homes and 11-day centres for Older People’s Care Services across Lancashire, serving over 800 meals daily. Our commitment to high-quality care and dietary services is rooted in our core values of promoting dignity, independence, and respect for all residents.

Vale View Day Centre, located in Lancaster, Lancashire, is a purpose-built one-storey centre for older people offering a safe, comfortable, and homely environment for up to 45 clients. The kitchen also caters for the day centre on site Monday to Friday.

About the Role

In this fast-paced and rewarding role, you will be responsible for a variety of skilled cooking activities, including the preparation of menus, portion control, and the provision of special dietary meals where appropriate for our elderly residents. You will ensure the highest standards of hygiene and Health & Safety are maintained in the kitchen, while also overseeing the operational control of service points along with maintaining accurate record-keeping, ordering supplies, and counting and recording stock as required.

You will also play a key role in supervising other employees working in the kitchen, ensuring that all team members are working safely and effectively. Your expertise in menu planning, stock control, and catering for large numbers will be essential in delivering high-quality meals. Knowledge of food costing, specialised diets, and basic nutritional needs would be an advantage, as well as knowledge of the correct use of kitchen equipment and utensils.

Job Description and Person Specification

Your Skills and Experience (desirable)

• Proven experience in menu planning and stock control.
• Demonstrated ability to cater for large numbers.
• Experience in supervising staff within a kitchen environment.
• Knowledge of food costing and stock control.
• Understanding of specialised diets and basic nutritional needs.
• Awareness of basic hygiene and Health & Safety requirements.
• Proficiency in the correct use of kitchen equipment and utensils.

We are looking for somebody who is proactive, can work independently and make decisions under pressure, with excellent organisational and team leadership skills. A commitment to equality, diversity, health, and safety is also crucial.

Why Choose Us:

Great Annual Leave: We offer up to 32 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 2 additional statutory days during the festive season. You can also purchase additional leave.

Financial Benefits: Our generous Local Government Pension Scheme, annual pay reviews and enhanced pay for weekend working.

Training and Development: An excellent induction through our Social Care Academy and ongoing support for your career and professional development.

Health and Wellbeing: A Wellbeing Support Programme for you and your family. 

Staff Discounts: You'll get access to dozens of discounts through Vivup, our employee benefits partner. Our scheme covers a car lease scheme, shopping, entertainment, gym memberships, holidays, and more.

We embrace diversity and have a range of support, groups and networks for staff. These include the Forum of Asian Black and Ethnic Employees (FABEE), the Disabled Workers Forum and the LGBTQ+ Employee Network.

For an informal discussion please contact Angela Dawson on 07917836674

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

This position is part-time, please note the salary quoted is full-time equivalent, the salary received will be paid on a pro-rata basis.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.