Kitchen Porter

Thomas Franks Ltd.; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 20,000 - GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering firm in Solihull is seeking a Stores & Kitchen Porter to maintain cleanliness and assist in food preparation. This role requires effective communication skills and the ability to work well in a team. Candidates should be organised and detail-oriented with basic food hygiene knowledge. Join a company offering excellent career progression and employee benefits in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Free meals on duty

Cycle to work scheme

Recommend a friend bonus

Employee assistance programme

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a fast-paced kitchen is a plus.
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting and standing for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of kitchen areas.
• Assist with food preparation under the Chef Manager's guidance.
• Work collaboratively with the kitchen team to ensure smooth operations.

Skills

Organised and detail-oriented

Strong time-management skills

Proactive and adaptable

Basic understanding of food hygiene

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification (or willingness to obtain)

Job description

About our school environment

A co‑educational private day prep school in Solihull, West Midlands. Catering for 640 students and teachers daily, we offer core lunch and some hospitality. This term‑time only role works 43 weeks, Monday to Friday. Additional benefit: free on‑site parking.

Position

Stores & Kitchen Porter – one of our fabulous locations in Solihull.

Requirements & Responsibilities

• Previous experience in a fast‑paced kitchen (Kitchen Assistant or porter).
• Excitement to work within a talented team in a fresh‑food environment and opportunity to grow.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Hygiene and Food Safety

• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of kitchen areas: washing dishes, cleaning equipment, sanitising surfaces.
• Follow food safety and hygiene regulations, ensuring compliance with company and legal standards.
• Dispose of waste appropriately, following recycling and composting practices where applicable.

Stock Management and Delivery

• Receive and check deliveries, ensuring quality and quantity meet requirements.
• Store stock in correct areas, following stock rotation principles to minimise waste and maintain freshness.
• Monitor stock levels and report shortages or potential overstock to the Chef Manager.
• Assist with transporting food and supplies to designated areas as required.

Pot Wash Area and Food Preparation

• Wash dishes; empty dishwasher as required.
• Return dishes and other food equipment to the appropriate locations and survey the kitchen.
• Assist with basic food preparation tasks directed by the Chef Manager or Senior Sous Chef.
• Ensure food items are properly handled, stored, and prepared in compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
• Support the kitchen team during busy periods or events by completing delegated tasks efficiently and effectively.

Team Support and Communication

• Work collaboratively with the kitchen team to ensure smooth day‑to‑day operations.
• Provide support for colleagues during events or absences, ensuring all tasks are completed to a high standard.
• Communicate effectively with team members to ensure dietary needs, allergen requirements, and timelines are met.

Event and Function Assistance

• Assist in setting up, serving, and clearing down for events, functions, or hospitality services.
• Ensure high‑quality service delivery in line with Thomas Franks standards.

General Responsibilities

• Attend team meetings, briefings, and training sessions as required.
• Uphold a professional appearance and high standards of personal hygiene.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as directed by the Chef Manager or Senior Sous Chef.
• Provide occasional support to other Thomas Franks locations or teams when needed.

Person Specification

Key Personal Skills and Attributes

• Organised and detail‑oriented with strong time‑management skills.
• Proactive, adaptable, and reliable in a fast‑paced environment.

Knowledge and Competencies

• Basic understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience working in a professional kitchen environment is desirable but not essential.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, carrying, and standing for extended periods.

Benefits

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms, etc.).
• Free meals on duty.
• Volunteers leave – up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

About Us

Thomas Franks is a founder‑led, fresh‑food catering business with a focus on excellence, service, individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people, are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.

An enhanced DBS, ID & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and treats all applicants fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and do not discriminate unfairly based on any disclosed information. For any post in a school, please be aware that the application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; any conviction, caution or bind‑over must be declared.

Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion. We invite applications from groups who are currently under‑represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.