Kitchen Assistant

Join Our Team – Kitchen Assistant (Fixed-Term, 12 Months)
Location: Wharerata Café – Massey University, Palmerston North
Hours: Full-time (40 hours)
Salary Band: $50,000 – $60,000 per annum (based on skills and experience)

Wharerata Café is seeking a dedicated and reliable Kitchen Assistant to support our growing hospitality operations. This is a 12-month fixed-term role reporting to the Operating Café Manager.

As part of our small and hardworking team, you will play a key role in preparing cabinet food and catering orders, supporting catering deliveries, and ensuring smooth kitchen operations. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working behind the scenes and takes pride in quality, consistency, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare fresh and appealing cabinet food, including filled sandwiches and baked goods
• Support catering orders and assist with timely delivery for internal events
• Maintain food safety and cleanliness standards in all food preparation areas
• Work collaboratively with the café team to reduce wastage and increase productivity
• Assist with stock rotation, supplier deliveries, and kitchen organisation

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience in a commercial kitchen or food preparation role
• Strong understanding of food hygiene and safety (NZQA Units 167 and 168 preferred)
• Reliable, efficient, and proactive with a strong work ethic
• Ability to work independently and as part of a busy team
• Flexible and adaptable to support the changing needs of the café and catering.

Why Massey University?

At Massey University, we are committed to providing a supportive and enriching work environment. Our staff enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Professional Development: Access to training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and career progression.
• Health and Wellbeing: Staff discounts at campus recreation centres and access to health insurance plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a supportive roster that helps maintain a healthy work-life balance and generous leave allowances.
• Community Engagement: Be part of a team that contributes to the positive experience of our students, staff, and visitors.

For more information on the benefits of working at Massey University, please visit our Benefits at Massey page.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a chance to contribute to an evolving food service model at Massey University. With growing catering demands and customer expectations, your input will directly support the success of Wharerata Café.

If you’re passionate about great food and efficient service, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit your application, including a cover letter and CV, through our online career's portal.