About West Dean

West Dean is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for art, design, craft, and conservation education.  The work of staff and students, frequently rooted in traditional skills, is both innovative and world leading.

Our programmes are delivered across two sites in the UK:  West Dean, the idyllic Grade II listed rural campus in the stunning South Downs near Chichester (West Sussex), and our new, prestigious Bloomsbury site in the heart of London.  These inspiring locations provide the ideal environment in which students can work across disciplines and forge exciting new collaborations. 

We are making bold and ambitious moves as an organisation with the expansion of our portfolio, the redevelopment of our estate and our strategic push on diversity and sustainability. 

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Food Services Manager to join our vibrant community at West Dean on a fixed term basis to cover a period of maternity leave.  As the Food Services Manager, you will play a crucial role in the provision of a courteous and efficient service to our students, tutors and visitors, ensuring an exceptional and consistent customer service experience across all outlets.

This is an exciting opportunity to become an integral part of a dynamic team within a prestigious educational institution.  Full details of the role are found in the Job Pack.

Food Service at West Dean
 
West Dean has several food service outlets, providing food and refreshments to students and visitors throughout the year, including:
 
- The College Dining Room -
The Dining Room at West Dean operates 7 days a week, serving seasonal plated meals to our diverse range of students. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Menus are pre planned, and created to utilise the produce grown and reared on the West Dean Estate.

- West Dean Gardens Restaurant -
The Gardens Restaurant is open 7 days a week, offering freshly prepared breakfast and lunch to our visitors and guests. The menu changes seasonally and incorporates produce grown and reared on West Dean Estate, as well as championing local suppliers.

- West Dean Stores Tea Room -
Delicious cream teas are available every day along with a choice of freshly ground coffee and tea, cold drinks and snacks such as bacon sandwiches, Cumberland sausage baps, freshly made sandwiches and a range of scrummy fresh cakes and pastries.

- Gardener’s Tea House -
The Tea House is open during the summer months, offering freshly made sandwiches, cakes and pastries along with freshly ground coffee, tea and cold drinks

- Conferences, Events & Private Dining -
West Dean offers a unique venue for business get-togethers and private events, offering our prestigious state rooms to privately hire and private dining for between 10-90 guests.

- The Stewards Bar -
Our students also have access to the Stewards Bar, operating every evening within the main house, offering a wide range of drinks and snacks.

We strive to deliver food which is wholesome, seasonal and sustainable by growing our own produce, working closely with local suppliers, using different types of food preservation and reducing our food waste. 

What We Can Offer You - Benefits, Terms and Conditions

For this role, we are offering:

CONTRACT TYPE:  Fixed Term Maternity Cover (9-12 months)
SALARY:  £32,500 per annum
HOURS:  35 hours per week, straight shifts, 5 days over 7 (including evenings, weekends and bank holidays)

BENEFITS:

• Annual leave – 33 days (inc bank holidays) per annum
• Generous contributory pension scheme, matching from 4% to 7.5%
• Company Sick Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free entry to West Dean Gardens
• Complimentary staff access to events
• Discounts on retail goods in our two shops
• Free and discounted places on short courses at West Dean College
• Free use of West Dean College facilities including swimming pool, library, and tennis courts
• Subsidised bed and breakfast rates
• Discounts on event hire and food and beverage charges
• Free on-site parking

If you are passionate about providing exceptional service, fostering a warm and inclusive environment, and being part of a dynamic team in a vibrant setting, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

• Please view the Food Services Manager Job Pack 04 2024 document (opens in a pop up)