Canteen Operative

So, what will I be doing? At Yeo Valley, we're about more than just making great food. We're here to Nurture & Nourish People & Planet by Making Great Food the Right Way. Forever. As a co-owned business, we're committed to supporting our people, developing talent, and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We believe our success comes from working together, doing things properly, and always looking for ways to improve.

At the heart of our business is a deep connection to nature and a commitment to our co-owners. You'll be joining a team that values respect, wellbeing, sustainability, and personal growth, while helping to produce some of the UK's favourite dairy products. You will work as an essential part of the Cannington Catering Team, supporting the smooth running of daily food service operations.

This includes preparing high-quality food items, cooking breakfasts and lunches, producing sandwiches and grab-and-go items, maintaining excellent hygiene standards, and delivering friendly, efficient customer service. You will contribute to the delivery of daily KPIs, ensuring food safety, efficiency, and a positive customer experience.

Key responsibilities

Safety Work safely at all times, following company Health & Safety policies. Ensure equipment is used correctly and maintained in safe working order. Promote a positive safety culture and challenge unsafe behaviours. Quality & Food Standards Maintain excellent food hygiene, adhering to HACCP, allergen controls, and “clean as you go” practices.

Ensure all sandwiches, salads, and buffet items are produced accurately, attractively, and on time. Escalate any quality or food safety concerns immediately. Complete all required paperwork clearly and accurately. Service Provide friendly, efficient front-of-house service to staff and visitors. Operate the till and process card payments.

Respond to customer queries or complaints professionally. Support menu planning and communicate daily menu items clearly. Cooking & Food Preparation Cook and serve breakfasts and lunches to agreed standards. Prepare sandwiches, wraps, salads, and packed items for internal customers. Ensure correct portioning, stock rotation, and minimal food waste.

Organisation & Housekeeping Maintain a clean, organised working environment at all times. Ensure stock is rotated, labelled, and stored correctly. Carry out deep cleaning tasks as required. Keep preparation areas, fridges, and equipment tidy and compliant with hygiene standards. People & Teamwork Work collaboratively with colleagues to meet daily targets.

Support new starters with basic training and guidance. Participate in team briefings and contribute ideas for improvement. Maintain a positive and respectful working environment. Profit & Efficiency Minimise waste and use resources efficiently. Support accurate stock control and daily stock checks. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency or reduce costs The role is based on a 4 on, 4 off shift pattern, working 42 hours per week between 06:00 and 18:00.

However, we are open to discussing alternative working patterns and hours, including Monday to Friday or Thursday to Monday, to suit the needs of the successful candidate and the business. Sounds interesting, what do I need? Essential:

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Positive attitude, adaptable, and proactive.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high standards.
• Understanding of health & safety and food safety requirements. Desirable:
• Experience in cooking and food preparation, ideally in a canteen, school, café, or restaurant.
• Confident in sandwich preparation and working to production deadlines.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2). Why should I join the family? We're independent, British and proud to be producing the highest-quality yogurts, desserts, soups and ice cream under the Yeo Valley brand and for many of the UK's leading retailers. Operating from four manufacturing sites and two logistics centres across Somerset and Devon, we employ over 2,000 people and produce more than 25% of the UK's packaged yogurt. As well as free parking and high-quality PPE, you'll benefit from: Competitive holiday allowance Non-contributory pension scheme Life assurance Healthcare cashback plan Cycle to Work scheme Subsidised Yeo Valley products Retail and partner discounts Learning and development opportunities Career progression opportunities across the business Apply Today Our closing dates are a guide and we may close vacancies earlier if we receive sufficient applications. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide employment sponsorship at this time. Please note that Yeo Valley does not accept speculative agency applications and will only accept applications from preferred suppliers instructed through our recruitment portal. Ready to help make great food the right way? Apply now and start your Yeo Valley journey.