Chef de Partie
Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE17 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
1 November 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
15 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Catering, cleaning and site management
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 45 hours per week. Basic working hours are five days over a seven-day rota, agreed with line manager. This usually includes one weekend per month. Daily hours are approximately 7am-5pm or 8am 6pm, working a 10 hour day with one hour for lunch.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- Up to £33,646 per annum
What skills and experience we're looking for
his role is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys variety and can work across different catering settings to join a strong team. You will support the day-to-day operation of the College’s catering outlets, helping to prepare and serve high-quality food for students, staff and visitors.
Working alongside the Head Chef, chefs and food service assistants, you will contribute to a positive kitchen environment and help maintain high standards of food quality, hygiene and customer service.
About the role
- Prepare, cook and serve meals to a high standard
- Support catering across a range of outlets and events
- Assist with menu preparation for student dining, functions, and conferences
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety and hygiene
- Complete cleaning schedules and food temperature records
- Help minimise food waste through portion control and careful preparation
- Ensure stock is stored correctly and stock rotation procedures are followed
- Provide a polite, professional and welcoming service to students, staff and guests
- Offer cover for evenings, weekends, holiday periods and special functions when needed
- Support catering provision at One Garden Brighton when required
What we are looking for
You will need to have:
- City & Guilds 701 and 702, or an equivalent qualification and/or relevant catering, hospitality and food experience
- A current Food Hygiene Certificate
- At least 2 years’ experience in a similar role
- Strong cooking skills and experience of working with fresh produce
- A passion for good food and high standards
- Good customer service skills
- The physical ability to carry out manual handling duties
- A full UK driving licence and your own transport
It would also be helpful if you have:
- A flexible, approachable and outgoing manner
- Experience of working well under pressure
- Strong teamworking skills
- Previous supervisory experience or experience deputising for a Head Chef
About you
We are looking for someone who shares our student-focused values and is committed to equality of opportunity and creating a supportive environment for staff and students.
At Plumpton College, we are:
What the college offers its staff
We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including 26 Days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and efficiency days. The role is eligible for the Local Government Pension Scheme, including employer contributions and life assurance. Staff also benefit from high‑quality CPD and professional development opportunities. As a Disability Confident Committed employer and signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to support an inclusive working environment.
New colleagues benefit from a structured induction, a supported four‑month probationary period, and a strong coaching culture led by in‑house Level 5 trained coaches.
Employees also enjoy lifestyle and wellbeing benefits, including eligibility for a TOTUM and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, electric vehicle salary sacrifice, discounted Plumpton produce and courses, free onsite parking, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
Our commitment to wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through active EDI and Sustainability committees, regular staff events and social activities throughout the year.
We reserve the right to interview or close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis.
Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on college website (opens in new tab)About Plumpton College
- Organisation type
- FE College, ages 16 to 99
- Education phase
- Sixth form or FE college
- Size
- No information available
- Age range
- 16 to 99
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Plumpton College website
- Email address
- recruitment@plumpton.ac.uk
College location
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