Kitchen Assistant in Manchester

We are a family‑run UK business operating food and beverage outlets at airports, creating exceptional experiences for all our customers. We believe airport customers deserve better - we ARE here to delight. We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Kitchen Assistant at Manchester Airport, working in our outlets to deliver exceptional food and outstanding customer service with a highly trained and motivated team.

As a Kitchen Assistant, you'll be a reliable, hardworking and enthusiastic team player supporting the kitchen brigade’s day‑to‑day operations while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen. The Great Northern Market concept at Manchester Airport includes six kitchens, offering a diverse range of cuisines such as fried chicken, smashed burgers, burritos, hand stretched pizza, Asian, Greek, and a breakfast menu. The venue has approximately 470 covers and operates from 3am to 10pm. This is an hourly paid role, and shifts may include early morning starts (e.g., 2 a.m.) or late finishes (e.g., the last flight), with no requirement for split or double shifts.

If you're passionate about hospitality, enjoy working in large teams, and want to develop your kitchen experience, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

Your primary responsibility will be to maintain a high standard of kitchen hygiene and ensure expected standards are consistently met. You’ll assist in the smooth running of the kitchen by supporting the kitchen team in ensuring health and safety, food safety, and cleanliness are maintained to the highest levels.

Main Duties

• Maintain a high standard of kitchen hygiene and cleanliness.
• Assist in ensuring health and safety and food safety standards are met daily.
• Keep all food preparation areas clean and follow proper cleaning protocols.
• Support in the transportation of food trolley units between our preparation kitchen and market hall.
• Help control kitchen food stocks and minimise waste.
• Ensure the daily cleaning rota is followed and maintained.
• Maintain cleanliness in food preparation areas and ensure adherence to safety and hygiene protocols.

Requirements

We are looking for outgoing and engaging team players who are eager to learn and committed to maintaining high standards in a fast‑paced kitchen environment.

To Succeed In This Role, You’ll Have

• Previous kitchen experience (helpful but not essential).
• Willingness to learn about health and safety concerns in a kitchen environment and address or elevate them as needed.
• Good communication skills and the ability to build relationships with team members.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• The ability to follow processes and maintain consistent levels of service.

Our values, Growth, Respect, Innovation, Togetherness (GRIT) are reflected in the behaviours we demand. ARE you; Curious, passionate and resilient. Responsible, hard‑working and keen to help others. Willing to show up, be positive and have FUN!

Perks & Benefits

• Free meals while on duty at the site, from the 'Staff Duty Meal' options.
• Tronc (tips and gratuities distribution system) via Tip Jar.
• 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), increasing by 1 day a year up to a maximum of 32 days.
• NEST pension.
• Stream (flexible pay access and multiple discount rewards at retailers).
• Health & wellbeing cash plan, also offering discounts and perks across hundreds of retailers.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for health and well‑being support from day one.
• Staff referral bonus scheme.

All successful candidates will be required to provide proof of their right to work in the UK. Hold an Airport Security ID Pass, which we will assist with. The application process requires the production of a valid passport, a criminal record check, and five years of personal and employment references.

Equal Opportunities

At ARE Ltd, we recognise the value of diversity and inclusivity in fostering a truly remarkable experience for all our customers. Our commitment extends beyond retail to building a workforce that reflects the wide array of perspectives and experiences found across the UK. We believe that embracing diversity in our teams enables us to provide exceptional service and innovation. We are dedicated to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work, with a strong commitment to promoting equity in both physical and mental health for everyone. To achieve this, we encourage applications from individuals of disadvantaged socio‑economic backgrounds, disabled persons, LGBTQ+ community members, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, and those with lived experiences of discrimination.

Accessibility and Adjustments

ARE Ltd is committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process. We strive to be as accommodating as possible to ensure all candidates can participate fully. If you have specific requirements or need adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to get in touch. In your application, feel free to indicate your preferred pronouns (for example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.) to help us better address and respect your identity throughout the process.