Working as part of the multidisciplinary team the post holder will be required to prepare, cook and serve a wide range of high-quality nutritious food including therapeutic diets for patients, relatives, staff and visitors to the Ayrshire Hospice. You will also be required to supervise staff involved in all aspects of food preparation, service, wash-up and cleaning duties related to the provision of the catering service contributing to the creation of a safe, secure and caring environment for patients and relatives by demonstrating a sensitive and professional attitude.
This will be in line with Food Safety Regulations, Food Fluid and Nutritional care Guidelines, Health and Safety, Infection Control and COSHH Regulations.
Main Responsibilities
Preparation, production and presentation of catering and hospitality services to patients, relatives, staff and visitors to the Hospice.
Assist manager with the training of staff in the appropriate use of machinery and other aspects of work related to their duties.
Minimising food waste by ensuring economic and correct use of provisions and the use of standard recipes at all times.
Ensure that all products comply with allergen/labelling regulations.
Supervise and co-ordination of catering assistants to ensure daily catering activities are achieved within timescales.
Maintain safe systems of work and a safe working environment in accordance with Health & Safety Policy and Procedures, COSHH, The Food Safety Act (1990), Food Hygiene Regulations (2006), and Infection Control are adhered to with regard to food storage, preparation, service and general cleaning.
Ensure the correct receipt and storage of foodstuffs and supplies, checking deliveries for temperature, quantity, quality and ensuring all goods are stored correctly and that stock rotation procedures are followed.
Recording temperatures as specified in HACCP.
Ensure efficient use of resources (food/cleaning products)
Report faulty/damaged equipment in accordance with Hospice Policies and Procedures.
Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team and with volunteers.
Ensure high standards of personal hygiene are maintained.
Liaise with clinical staff with regards to patient’s dietary and nutritional needs and preferences.
Adopt a degree of responsibility for and have an awareness of food production and presentation at all times.
Daily completion of Cook Safe System and HACCP Systems.
Cleaning and sanitising of own work areas and equipment as used.
Supervise and monitor the completion of cleaning schedules as per the HACCP system.
Ensure the security of the kitchen, stores and equipment.
Ensure rubbish/waste is disposed of correctly.
Suggest and introduce new menus/food items as appropriate.
Order foodstuffs and supplies in the absence of the Catering Manager.
Demonstrate a sensitive and professional attitude in accordance with the Hospice values.
Comply with Health & Safety regulations including manual handling/risk assessment/fire safety training.
Accurate recording of sign in/out procedures
Complete all training requirements e.g. Mandatory & Statutory Training, Moodle & job specific requirements.
Work with other senior members of the catering team and front of house to ensure seamless provision of catering throughout the hospice
Person Specification
Requirement: Essential/Desirable, Assessment (Application/Interview)
Education / Qualifications
City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or SVQ/NVQ Equivalent Essential (A)
Food Hygiene Certificate – Intermediate Essential (A)
Food Allergy Awareness Certificate Desirable (A)
Knowledge/Experience
Cook Safe Systems Essential (A/I)
Health and Safety Regulations Essential (A/I)
COSHH Regulations Essential (A/I)
Previous Supervisory Experience with the Ability to Lead and Coordinate a Team Essential (A/I)
Previous Experience in a Healthcare Setting Desirable (A/I)
Knowledge of Hospice Services Desirable (I)
Ability/Skills
Good Communication Skills Essential (I)
Stock Control Experience Essential (I)
IT Skills Essential (I)
Ability to Work Under Pressure in a Busy Catering Environment Essential (I)
Ability to Work Without Supervision Essential (I)
Time Management Skills Essential (I)
Personal Qualities
Good Team Player Essential (I)
Motivated Essential (I)
Positive Attitude to Work Essential (I)
Trustworthy Essential (I)
Honest Essential (I)
Closing Date
April 26th 2026
Please note, we may decide to close the advert earlier if we receive a high volume of applications.
Ayrshire Hospice is an experienced source of outstanding quality care and services which helps those with any life-limiting illness.
Care is provided where there is no cure for the condition, but which improves the quality of each day for people who have a limited time to live.
We help adults throughout Ayrshire & Arran with life-limiting illness such as cancer, neurological conditions, end stage heart failure and lung disease.
Ayrshire Hospice is not just a building - it is a way of caring for people. We help people to live as actively as they can to the end of their lives - however long that may be, where ever that may be.
We provide care in a number of places including people’s own homes, hospitals and care homes as well as in our purpose built day care and in-patient units. We not only take care of people’s physical needs but look after their emotional, spiritual and social needs too. Family members, close friends and carers are also supported both during a person’s illness and in bereavement.
Hospice services are free of charge and are available to patients over 16 years of age throughout Ayrshire & Arran. The funding of these services does, however, require extensive, on-going fundraising and NHS support to exist.
During 2015-16, it cost almost £7.4million to run all hospice services, including clinical, fundraising and support services - equating to approximately £20,000 per day. Against this, £7.9million was raised with £4.8 million being raised through voluntary donations including over £1 million in bequests and legacies left to the hospice by people in their Wills, which was closely followed by donations and gift aid as the next highest income stream of over £942,000. NHS Ayrshire & Arran provided partnership funding of over £2.7 million.
The hospice is a registered charity (SC011390).
