Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)
Job Description
Job title:
Festival Senior Catering Team Leader
Responsible to:
Catering Manager
Deputy Catering Manager
Catering Shift Managers
Department:
Catering
Date:
January 2016
Job Purpose and general information:
To lead the Catering Team and ensure the smooth operation of the catering outlets you are
responsible for on each shift, and to maintain very high standards of customer service and
food/beverage quality at all times, leading and motivating staff, working beside them behind the bar
or catering unit, and ensuring consistent excellent quality of product and service for student
members and customers.
The post holder will work in all EUSA Catering outlets, working mainly on food service, but will also
have an operational understanding of the bars service side of the business in bar areas and work
closely with the EUSA Bar staff on ensuring high standards of service in these areas.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Staff Supervision, Development & Support

To lead and motivate the Catering Teams the post holder has responsibility for on each
shift, to ensure excellent standards of service in all EUSA catering outlets.

To assist the CM and DCM in ensuring all catering staff are inducted, trained and motivated
to provide customer service of very high quality and consistency, and to assist in the
recruitment, induction, training and monitoring (including regular appraisals) of the catering
teams.

To assist in maintaining adequate supervision in the catering outlets at all times (using
rotas), making the most cost effective use of staff hours in line with agreed budgets, and
ensuring that all staff are presentable in line with the EUSA dress code.

To actively participate in team meetings and communicate effectively back to staff to
ensure all staff adhere to the excellent standards of service and behaviour expected of all
EUSA staff and that the staff are also able to make an active contribution.
Standards & Service
1

To support and motivate Catering Team Leaders and Catering Team Members,
demonstrate and practice excellent standards of team leadership and team working and
deliver on high standards of performance from their teams.

To personally Team Lead to provide a very high standard of customer service in the catering
outlets throughout the EUSA and to maintain a charismatic, presentable and calm attitude
at all times.
Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)

To help ensure that all staff adhere to the required standard in customer care, and all
appropriate Health and Safety, COSHH and fire regulations.

To help ensure all catering outlets meet the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene
before and after service and that all units are fully cleaned prior to closure each day and to
ensure that all front of house equipment is maintained in a clean and operational state
before and after shifts and that bars are secure at all times.

To help ensure that all catering units are kept fully stocked and that excellent standards of
product, presentation and delivery of all drink and food are maintained at all times.

To help ensure that all catering staff are fully trained on the best use of the EPOS system
and that the standard of information inputted into that system is of a high enough quality to
ensure effective and accurate business analysis of all catering outlets.

To help ensure operational procedures and agreed standards of cleanliness and hygiene
are implemented, including practices as stipulated by Environmental Health.
Business Development & Efficiency

To assist in ensuring the catering units are run at maximum profitability within the set price
structure.

To follow good working practices, following EUSA established cash procedures, which
ensure that all goods and monies received are properly accounted for, secure, and that
opportunities for theft are minimised.

To ensure the conditions of our premises license are strictly adhered to at all times.

Working with the DCM and CSM to help identify and attract new customers, whilst
maintaining the existing clientele and being the first point of contact for queries, complaints
etc relating to Catering during the shift.

Working with the DCM and CSM to assist the Catering Stock Controller to monitor the stock
and stock control, service systems and storage procedures for front of house stock i.e. all
liquor items, and food items behind the bars and ensure accurate records are kept.

Working with the DCM and CSM to assist with the marketing and promotion of all catering
units and other facilities, ensuring all catering units are presented in a way that maximizes
sales opportunities.

To work closely with the House Management Team ensuring customer safety and building
security.
Supporting The CM & EUSA
2

To deputise for the CSM in their absence.

To ensure that the DCM and CSM are appraised on a regular basis on all aspects of the
Catering service, and to attend regular management team meetings.

To work closely with the Bars Team on ensuring high standards of food service within bars
areas.

To take an active role in the regular department meetings, feeding information back to the
staff, both verbally and in writing.

To provide written or verbal reports to senior management when required.
Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)

Any other appropriate duties as deemed necessary by the CM, DCM or their direct line
managers.
Other:

Adherence to and support of EUSA’s Ethical and Environmental policies and procedures.

Commitment to training and development

Adherence and commitment to Health & Safety is a responsibility of all staff

To ensure that every student, staff member or visitor using any of our services has the
best possible experience of that service and of EUSA as on organisation.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Catering Manager
Deputy Catering Manager
Catering Shift Managers
Head Chef
Catering Staff
Bars Manager
Deputy Bars Manager
Senior House Manager
Shift Managers
Business Support Department
Person Specification
Festival Senior Catering Team Leader
An enthusiastic, confident and competent Catering Team Leader with demonstrable experience of
leading catering staff teams to a high standard with excellent levels of service.
A person with very high expectations of themselves and others, with a passion for great service,
who takes pride in their work and that of their team, and who has the ability to maintain delivery at
a consistently high standard.
Essential:
General:
 A very positive attitude towards EUSA and a strong desire to work for the organisation and
to help to support future developments to reach consistent standards of excellence for the
whole organisation.
3

A strong commitment to delivering a genuinely world leading student experience for our
student members.

A strong commitment to the values of the organisation and a desire to make a positive
contribution to those values.
Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)
Specific:
 At least 1 year’s experience leading catering staff teams in a customer-focussed role.

Knowledge of all products sold in catering outlets and bars and how to deliver them to the
highest quality standard.

Experience of assisting in the delivery of staff training and induction processes.

High personal standards of performance and pride in your work and high expectations of
your team and organisation and knowledge of how to realise those expectations.

Understanding and experience of utilising EPOS systems in catering outlets.

Experience of managing customer flow and peaks/troughs in demand.

Experience of managing difficult customers in an appropriate manner.

Experience of cash handling and management.

Working knowledge of appropriate evacuation procedures.

A good working knowledge of Health and Safety issues relating to public spaces and
events & licensing laws.

Experience of food service to a high and consistent standard.
Other:
 A commitment to and understanding of ongoing staff professional development.
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
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise.

The ability to demonstrate a positive, helpful and welcoming attitude to members and
customers.

The ability to build and maintain good working relationships with fellow staff and
members/customers and to be a positive role model as a team leader.

The ability to maintain a mature and calm disposition.

The ability to lead and motivate staff.

A willingness to learn new skills as required and undertake appropriate training.

Smart personal appearance.

Enthusiasm, imagination and ambition.

Flexibility in terms of hours worked/shift patterns.

The ability to maintain a good sense of humour in potentially stressful situations.
Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)
Desirable:
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
Experience of stock control.

An understanding of cellar management.

Personal Licence Holder.

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.

Driving license & access to own vehicle.

Experience of working in a student environment.