Shift Leader, UECS

Job description

Essex Food - One Team, One Vision, Culture

At Essex Food, we work as one team. We treat each other with kindness and respect, and we're committed to empowering every team member. We listen, support, and believe in our people-giving them the confidence and autonomy to make decisions.

Our aim is to help each individual grow into the best version of themselves, which in turn delivers the best value to our customers. Together, we learn what great food service looks like-with no exceptions-and we support one another wherever we can, turning good into excellence.

We believe the team makes the dream work. The "not my job" attitude has no place here. We stand united with one vision-lifting each other through challenges and celebrating success together. We carry each other through tough times, share wins, and grow stronger as one. If you're ready for the challenge, you're ready for Essex Food.

We don't make mistakes-we learn. Every experience is an opportunity to grow, and every challenge is a chance to improve. There's no such thing as a stupid question. Curiosity and open communication are the foundations of our learning culture. We encourage questions, ideas, and feedback from everyone because that's how we get better-together. In a world where you can be anything we start with being nice.

Duties of the role

Leading the engine room of our food and service culture.

At Essex Food, Shift Leaders are key to our success. You are the engine room of each service, setting the tone, maintaining standards, and leading the team to deliver great food and outstanding customer experiences.

This role is ideal for someone ready to step up, take ownership of shifts, and lead with positivity, while continuing to learn and grow within a supportive, values-led team.

What You'll Be Known For

• Running shifts confidently, making real-time decisions to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient service
• Leading and motivating a positive, united team where everyone feels respected and supported
• Leading by example - working hands-on with the team during busy services
• Ensuring recipes, training programmes, food safety, and operational standards are followed at all times
• Coaching and developing crew members through on-the-job support, mentoring, and clear communication
• Encouraging ideas from the team and turning feedback into action
• Supporting and delivering new concepts and service styles as part of the Essex Food team Delivering excellent customer experiences while balancing quality, pace, and commercial performance.

A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found within the job pack.

About You

You are a confident and approachable leader with a genuine passion for food and people. You understand that strong shifts are built on clear leadership, teamwork, and trust. You bring energy, structure, and accountability - while never losing sight of the human side of leadership.

You will also bring:

• Experience working in a catering or hospitality environment (leadership experience preferred, but we will support your development)
• The ability to lead a team during service, make decisions, and solve problems calmly
• Strong communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style that brings the best out of others.

We will continue to train and develop you to confidently manage high-volume catering operations, strengthening both your leadership and operational skills.

We are committed to ensuring that our services meet the needs of our diverse and multicultural community on campus.

As an employer we offer a range of benefits and a commitment to career development and equal opportunities in an environment that both reflects and creates a rich interaction of people, disciplines and ideas.

At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.

To support this commitment we have our Global Forum , a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre , which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives.

Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please email [email protected] .

*More information: Working at the University