Catering Officer Grade II

Job Summary:

Catering Officer Grade 2 is responsible for the management and control of operational hygiene and people management within his/her assigned area of the Catering Department in Beaumont Hospital and St Josephs Hospital Raheny.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that the production and distribution of food to patients and staff is to the highest standard of safety and quality. This would include specialised diets functions and the introduction of new menus as appropriate for patients and staff in conjunction with the Chef Team.

The Officer is responsible for ensuring that the operations of the Catering Department are run in the most efficient manner. At every opportunity the post holder is expected to ensure that Value for Money programmes are exercised and the most cost effective way of delivering catering services is utilised. The Officer is expected to maintain accurate financial information in relation to all relevant expenditure including staff and procurement.

The Catering Officer should ensure that the views of patients and staff in relation to the quality variety and value of meals are constantly sought. The Officer should deal with customer queries and complaints were appropriate and inform the relevant person of the issues raised. The post holder must ensure that all aspects of HACCP are fully implemented including ongoing staff training and the maintenance of staff training records in conjunction with Senior Catering Management.

The Catering Officer will be an active leader of his/her team and will ensure that the activities of the team are aligned to achieving the goals of the Catering Department. Active leadership will involve full engagement with staff to ensure that they are involved in and consulted about the day to day activities and future developments of the department.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

Main Duties:

• To ensure the highest quality of food quality presentation and service are achieved and maintained at all times.
• To liaise with the kitchen team and assist in the preparation of suitable menus with regard to customer demands market trends quality portion control and cost.
• To participate in the review of all supplies to the catering department and liaise with stores to ensure that minimum stock levels are maintained.
• Participate in the purchasing of all non-food and food items.
• To monitor the quality of goods inwards on a regular basis.
• To maintain good communications and working relationships with management colleagues staff and customers alike.
• To make recommendations regarding the provision of light and heavy equipment for your assigned area.
• To Organize and cost in advance the provisions for special functions as required.
• To review implement and operate HACCP systems throughout your area and ensure all staff are trained and systems are strictly monitored.
• To make recommendations for training as required for all staff. To coach members of the catering team as appropriate.

People Management and Human Resource responsibility:

• The Officer is responsible for maintaining good communications within the department and encouraging good employee relations. This is best achieved through the active engagement with staff and consultation on current and future developments.
• He/she should ensure that staff are aware of all Hospital policies and that these are administered in a fair and reasonable manner. The Officer should ensure that hospital policies such as Managing Attendance Dress Code Dignity at Work Code of Conduct Trust in Care etc are implemented in the most effective manner and that constant monitoring of employee compliance is maintained.
• The Officer is responsible for the performance management of his/her staff in all aspects of their employment. This would include though is not limited to
  • Ensuring adherence to the Managing Attendance Policy
  • Ensuring that the employee meets the expected performance standard of the catering department. This involves the active use of the Probation Management Policy and the Performance Enhancement Framework.
  • To ensure induction training is provided for all new and relief staff in your area.
  • Ensuring that the Hospitals SOP on Incremental Pay is applied in a fair and equitable manner
• Dealing with matters of staff discipline in accordance with the hospital Disciplinary Procedure for performance behavioural and matters of conduct.
• The Officer is responsible for addressing all grievances legitimately raised with him/her in a manner that is consistent with best practice and the timelines outlined in the Hospital Grievance Procedure.
• He/she must keep the Deputy Catering Manager informed in relation to staff grievances discipline issues and staff welfare issues as appropriate.
• The Officer is responsible for the monitoring and controlling of staff entitlements to leave and completing timesheets absenteeism and sick leave records and returning.
• Ensure all staff files are up to date to include relevant letters references and all other details required by the Catering and Human Resources departments.
• The Officer shall produce rosters to ensure that the operational needs of the department are resourced. The Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that all off-duties and absences are addressed to ensure continuity of service.
• To ensure all weekly wages returns are accurate and returned promptly and that all staff receive correct wages.
• To identify the training needs of the team and carry out relevant training incorporating new ideas new procedures or changes in work methods.
• To attend all relevant Hospital meetings

Hygiene:

• To attain and subsequently maintain a high standard of hygiene in respect of the entire delivery storage food production and food services areas under your jurisdiction.
• To establish and manage effective cleaning schedules and records in the areas above.
• To ensure hygiene standards are attained and maintained in all areas of food handling.
• To ensure correct cleaning of all equipment is carried out and detailed records established as per the HACCP requirement.
• To sign off cleaning records on a weekly basis.
• To be aware of preventative maintenance of equipment thus ensuring the smooth running of the operation and liaise with the Technical Services Department.

Safety:

• The Officer must ensure compliance with all aspects of the Health Safety and Welfare at Work Acts
• To assist in the compilation of the departmental safety training plan for the coming year.
• To ensure training sessions encompass all aspects of safety in your section.
• To manage the risk management process in the catering department.

Quality

• Have overall responsibility within the department for the HACCP system ensuring Policies procedures and Guidelines are in place and audited regularly with corrective action.
• Create a culture of positively seeking feedback from customers and making changes to meet their requirements.
• Be visible and present to colleagues and customers visiting wards and patients to get direct feedback on the service.
• Be aware of the various HIQA and National standards and be proactive in achieving same.

Training

• Report on attendance at training programmes especially mandatory training and ensure compliance meets regulatory requirement.
• Ensure own professional development in keeping with industry educational and technical development.

The job description is an outline of the post as it is currently perceived by the hospital and will be subject to review and amendment. This job description will therefore be subject to change in light of the various strategies for the hospital and the development of the Clinical Directorate model and any future developments that arise and will evolve and change over time.

Selection Criteria:

Selection criteria outline the qualifications skills knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. Statutory Registration Professional Qualifications Experience etc

Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition

(i) Hold the Bachelors of Arts. NFQ Level 7 in Hospitality Management awarded by

Technical University Dublin

OR

(ii) Hospitality Studies (Higher Certificate) (Level 6) awarded by the Munster Technical

University

OR

(iii) A Diploma in Dietetics

OR

(iv) An equivalent qualification

OR

(v) Be currently employed in the HSE or funded agency as a Catering Officer

AND

(vi) Candidates must have at least one years satisfactory experience in the direction and

control of the catering arrangements for an institution or other establishment catering

for a minimum of 200 persons per day

OR

(vii) Have a total of at least two years satisfactory experience in the direction and control

or in assisting in the direction and control of the catering arrangements for an

institution or other establishment catering for a minimum of 200 persons per day

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AND

(b) All candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high

standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Desirable:

• A Degree Diploma or Higher Certificate in Hotel and Catering Management or equivalent.
• Management Certificate in Food Safety & HACCP
  • Experience in managing a quality food service in accordance with HACCP.
• Minimum of three years current middle management experience in Healthcare and/or Hospitality sector.
• Knowledge of and experience in the Management and delivery of National and legislative standards
• Proficient in all Microsoft packages: Microsoft Office Word/ Excel
• ECDL or equivalent
• Certified Health & Safety Training.
• Train The Trainer
• Experience in preparation for independent audit and /or accreditation. (Q Mark or equivalent).
• To assist in the delivery of Performance Management systems

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointees re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions where relevant will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)