Catering Assistant

About the role

Our Catering Assistants in John Lewis shops work in either customer restaurants or behind the scenes partner dining rooms. The role delivers the high quality catering experience for customers and partners, supporting food preparation, presentation, stock management, and general catering tasks.

Key responsibilities

• Work as a team to ensure a smooth catering service.
• Provide positive customer and partner interactions, acting as an ambassador for the John Lewis brand at all times.
• Follow health and safety procedures under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Food Safety Act when completing all tasks.
• Ensure stock is replenished and available for customers.
• Reduce food wastage by rotating stock carefully.
• Act promptly and use initiative to resolve any issues that arise during operation.
• Maintain personal hygiene standards.

Essential skills and experience

• Flexibility to work across the catering team and ability to use initiative for smooth operation.
• Passion for food.
• Keen eye for detail and high standards in food preparation, hygiene and cleanliness.

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience in a fast paced, physically demanding kitchen or catering environment.
• Teamwork and excellent customer service skills.
• Experience working in a kitchen or catering setting.

Contract information

• Pay: £13.91 per hour.
• Contract type: Temporary.
• Hours of work: Varied hours, 37.5 hours per week across seven days, including early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends between 08:00 - 18:00.
• Night premium: £3.75 per hour for hours worked between 22:00 - 06:00.
• Closing date: 2 June 2026.
• Location: Oxford, 101 The Westgate, Oxfordshire, OX1 1PB.

Legal and vetting

Some positions may be subject to pre employment vetting, including DBS checks. Candidates will be informed and provided with vetting information during the recruitment process.