Aron Dunford
Operations & General Support Assistant
About
Reliable, hardworking and highly efficient professional with several years of experience supporting busy operational environments across hospitality, care and facilities settings. Experienced in kitchen operations, food preparation, cleaning, stock control, delivery handling, manual handling, equipment care, hygiene and general operational support. Known by employers and colleagues for a strong work ethic, reliability, efficiency and willingness to get the job done without complaining.
Consistently able to manage multiple responsibilities, work to deadlines and maintain high standards during busy and demanding shifts. Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision as well as contributing effectively within a team. Now looking to move into a new career outside of kitchen work, bringing strong transferable skills in operations, logistics, warehousing, facilities, stock handling, organisation, problem-solving and general support.
Experience
Operations / Kitchen Support Assistant - Marina Fish and Chip Shop - Chapel St. Leonards
(2024-05 - 2026-05)
Supported the day-to-day operation of a busy, high-volume food service environment, taking responsibility for a wide range of back-of-house and general operational duties.
- Regularly started at 7:00 am to complete essential preparation before service, including potato preparation and chip production, with additional preparation carried out during the day when required.
- Prepared and organised the kitchen for service, including batter preparation, weighing and replenishing flour, refilling peas, preparing sides and ensuring ingredients and equipment were ready for use.
- Prepared food items including halloumi, Spam, cod roe and cookie dough, while heating and preparing sides such as mushy peas, curry and beans.
- Supported front-of-house operations by taking orders to tables, clearing and cleaning tables and responding quickly to frequent requests from the service area.
- Put deliveries away, handled stock and maintained organised storage areas.
- Set out tables, chairs and banners and prepared customer areas before service.
- Swept floors, emptied bins and maintained clean, organised working areas.
- Operated, cleaned and maintained the dishwasher and carried out regular equipment cleaning and upkeep.
- Cleaned fridges and carried out deep-cleaning of the kitchen to maintain high hygiene and safety standards.
- Trained in fish preparation and frying and subsequently carried out frying duties for a period, demonstrating adaptability and willingness to learn additional responsibilities.
- Maintained exceptionally high cleaning standards; a visiting hygiene inspector specifically commented that the potato rumbler was the cleanest they had ever seen.
- Frequently worked under pressure and managed multiple competing tasks while maintaining productivity, standards and a positive attitude.
- Recognised by colleagues for being hardworking, efficient and someone who did not complain, consistently taking on tasks and helping keep operations running smoothly.
Operations Support Assistant - Phoenix Nursing Home - Chapel St. Leonards
(2023-03 - 2023-11)
Supported daily operations within a busy care-home environment, assisting with meal preparation, dining-room setup, cleaning and general service duties.
- Prepared breakfast trays and delivered meals directly to residents at the dining table.
- Prepared sandwiches and simple meals such as cheese on toast.
- Prepared drinks, including tea and coffee, and supported meal and beverage service.
- Washed dishes and maintained clean and hygienic kitchen and service areas.
- Restocked supplies and put deliveries away, supporting stock organisation and availability.
- Set up the dining room before service and swept and cleaned the area afterwards.
- Worked to established schedules and routines to ensure meal service was organised and completed on time.
- Worked effectively as part of a team while completing assigned duties reliably and efficiently.
- Maintained attention to detail and high standards of cleanliness, organisation and hygiene.
Cleaner / Kitchen Support Assistant - Blatchington Manor - Seaford
(2020-11 - 2021-10)
Initially worked independently as a cleaner, responsible for cleaning residents' rooms and designated areas of the care home. Subsequently moved into the kitchen and took on additional operational responsibilities.
- Carried out sweeping, vacuuming and general cleaning while maintaining cleanliness and presentation standards.
- Managed cleaning responsibilities independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating organisation, reliability and self-motivation.
- Prepared breakfast items including bacon and eggs and made sandwiches to order for the kitchen service.
- Prepared tea and coffee and set up service trolleys.
- Washed dishes and maintained clean and organised kitchen areas.
- Put deliveries and stock away and carried out stock rotation to support effective stock management.
- Stored and organised supplies appropriately and maintained kitchen stock levels.
- Cleaned the walk-in refrigerator and maintained high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
- Set tables for lunch and dinner services and prepared dining areas for scheduled service.
- Regularly worked 12-hour shifts, demonstrating stamina, reliability, commitment and the ability to maintain performance over long working periods.
- Successfully adapted from cleaning duties into kitchen operations, demonstrating flexibility, willingness to learn and the ability to take on new responsibilities.
Porter / Kitchen Support Assistant - Clifden House - Seaford
(2018-02 - 2020-10)
Supported daily kitchen operations and meal preparation within a care-home environment.
- Prepared tea and coffee trolleys for breakfast, lunch and dinner, ensuring required items were ready before service.
- Took breakfast orders from residents and served breakfast.
- Prepared vegetables and buttered large quantities of bread for meal service.
- Washed dishes and maintained clean, organised kitchen and work areas.
- Received deliveries and checked goods against orders before putting stock away.
- Rotated stock and correctly stored chilled, frozen and dry goods.
- Restocked kitchen supplies and maintained organised storage areas.
- Regularly lifted and moved heavy boxes, demonstrating safe manual handling and physical capability.
- Managed a high volume of routine tasks efficiently and consistently.
- Frequently completed required duties approximately 30 minutes ahead of schedule, demonstrating excellent organisation, prioritisation, time management and productivity.
- Received positive feedback from colleagues for being extremely efficient and hardworking.
- Worked reliably as part of a team while also taking ownership of assigned tasks and completing them with minimal supervision.
Education
Level 2 Bench Joinery - Sussex Downs College
Level 1 Carpentry - Sussex Downs College
GCSE - English - Sussex Downs College
GCSE - Mathematics - Sussex Downs College
Level 1 Business BTEC - Sussex Downs College
GCSE - Science - Peacehaven Community School
GCSE - Resistant Materials - Peacehaven Community School
ICT - Peacehaven Community School
Humanities - Peacehaven Community School
LifeSkills - Peacehaven Community School