Kitchen Assistant

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK seeks a dedicated kitchen assistant to support outdoor sport facilities. This flexible role involves food preparation, ensuring cleanliness, and providing high-quality customer service. Candidates should have a relevant catering qualification and be committed to food safety. The position includes evening and weekend shifts, offering a competitive holiday package and access to on-campus amenities, making it a great opportunity for those seeking a vibrant work environment.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays

Discounted gym membership

Access to on-site childcare

Shopping discounts

Travel schemes

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain cleanliness in food preparation and service areas.
• Experience in food preparation and customer service.
• Understanding of food safety and labelling legislation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure food preparation and service areas are clean.
• Produce food that meets departmental quality standards.
• Provide excellent customer service during service periods.

Skills

Customer service commitment

Food safety knowledge

Stock management

Education

Recognised catering qualification

CIEH Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety

Job description

Interviews expected to be held week commencing 23 February 2026

This role will be based on the university campus. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.’

The University of Leeds has recently made a significant investment into its sporting facilities with a £5.2 million investment at our Bodington Playing Fields Site. This included the construction of the new Brownlee Centre and a 1.6km closed loop road cycle circuit. Other recent projects include a new FIFA quality and world 22 standard 3G pitch and an international standard water-based hockey pitch.

Outdoor Sport provides a bar/ catering offer across all three sites; Sports Park Weetwood, Bodington Football Hub and the Brownlee Centre. The diverse catering offer includes University sports teams on match days, national league Hockey, cricket teas and corporate days/ events, in addition to the daily bar operation.

As a kitchen assistant you will work as part of a dedicated team across our outdoor sport facilities ensuring that food preparation and service areas are clean and set up for service and that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times. You will help to produce food which meets departmental quality standards and customer expectations, whilst adhering to food safety and labelling legislation.

You may have a recognised catering qualification and a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety, or equivalent. You will be committed to providing excellent customer service and you will have the ability to move, count and record stock.

This role is flexible and includes weekday, weekend and evening work. The majority of shifts are on evenings and at weekends, and there is an expectation to work regular weekends. Shift availability will vary according to the season and facility bookings.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Matthew Hayward, Food and Beverage Manager

Please see details of the University’s Pre-employment Health Assessment within the Candidate Brief.