John Lewis Partnership Foundation
10.5 - 11.48 per hour
Milton Keynes - Magna Park
Full-time

Catering Assistant

About the role

To deliver a market leading customer experience, achieving sales and customer service targets through a focus on outstanding customer service and execution of the agreed food & drink offer.

To work as part of the Catering team adding value to the efficient and profitable running of your operational area to achieve your personal, team and branch objectives.

If you join us from 5th October 2025, in addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 18:00 - 22:00 will attract an Evening Premium at a rate of £2.50 per hour, and any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract a Night Premium at a rate of £3.50 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

As Partners - members of the Partnership - it's our responsibility to ensure our success for the future. We proactively seek out opportunities to continuously improve the way we work, taking action to ensure the Partnership is efficient and we are all as productive as possible. It's an ethos each and every Partner works by and you'll carry into your own role too.

To deliver excellent customer service by working flexibly as part of a team, ensuring that stock is replenished and displayed to required standards. To adhere to hygiene and health and safety standards at all times.

Job Requirements:
- Working as part of a team of catering assistants to ensure a smooth service is provided in accordance with all relevant procedures.

- To ensure stock available to meet service requirements, with attention being given to controlling wastage and ensuring food is rotated and no items are left beyond their sell by date.

- To act promptly on any customer comments, using initiative to resolve them where possible and report issues or unsolvable day-to-day problems to the line manager.

Desirable experience skills and qualifications:
-Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
-Previous catering experience.
-Worked in a fast paced customer facing environment.

Additional Information:
As a Partner you will enjoy our unique benefits package, including staff discount, subsidised food in Partner dining rooms, discounts in local restaurants, subsidised learning, access to exclusive Partnership hotels and so much more.

Please consider the following when making your application:
- This role is subject to the following pre-employment screening: 2 year reference check.
- We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply early.
- Print off the job description now if you require it.
- Ensure you have an up-to-date CV.

The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note: 

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. 

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We believe in ensuring our Partners have access to a complete spectrum of benefits whilst in the business. After all, our Partners make our Partnership what it is.

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Did you know?

Partners have the opportunity to volunteer at a charity of their choice for up to 6-months while receiving their normal pay.

Did you know?

Partners have the opportunity to volunteer at a charity of their choice for up to 6-months while receiving their normal pay.