At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in a fast-paced kitchen, ensuring quality food preparation and stock management.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider with a family-owned culture.
- Benefits: Earn £11.90 - £13.25 per hour, enjoy staff discounts and an employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Flexible full-time hours with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values ambition, teamwork, and integrity while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: A passion for cooking and ability to work efficiently in a kitchen environment.
The predicted salary is between 11.9 - 13.25 £ per hour.
Pay rates ranging from £11.90 - £13.25 per hour depending on your age & great benefits. Full-time positions available at 30 hours per week, working within the hours of Monday to Sunday, 6am - 9pm, with a degree of flexibility required.
Who are we? Henderson Group are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024. We’re an Investors in People accredited, family-owned group, and our culture is lived out through our four core values - Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.
A look into the role: Working within a fast paced kitchen environment, the Kitchen Assistant will assist with the movement, storage and rotation of goods in and out of the Kitchen, pack freshly cooked products to preserve them, protect them during preparation and give them an identifiable and desirable appearance for display in store and ensure all goods are correctly labelled and recorded. Reporting to the Chef, you will understand the requirements of working in a professional kitchen environment and have a flair and enthusiasm for cooking with fresh quality ingredients.
- Receive goods-in ensuring all legislative requirements, quality specification and shelf life of products is adhered to.
- Ensure effective stock rotation practices are in place to use older products first and reduce wastage.
- Assist Chef & Cook in the preparation of ingredients as required.
- Assist with stock control procedures and ordering.
- Kitchen porter duties including keeping the machines and production areas clean and tidy.
- Ensure all packaging and other items are stored correctly.
- Accurately record any damages or wastage.
- Prepare, clean, adjust and maintain printing equipment.
- Ensure accurate information is printed on the label (use by date, price, etc) and they are produced to a high standard and in line with food labelling regulations.
- Ensure enough labels are printed to cover the production planned for the day.
- Working in all areas across the department when needed, including the deli and bakery department.
- And other duties as required for the role.
Skills for Success Joining us as Kitchen Assistant, the attributes you’ll need include:
- A flair and enthusiasm for cooking with fresh quality ingredients.
- Ability to deliver at pace, while ensuring the highest quality of food.
Desirable if you have:
- Experience working in a Fresh Food Production Kitchen.
- Previous Experience working to budgets and/or targets.
- Good working knowledge of MS Office.
- Previous experience working in a catering and/or hospitality kitchen environment.
Are we right for you? As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.
- Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
- Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
- Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
- Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve. And we will be here to celebrate your success. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people. Benefits include attractive pay, employee assistance programme, discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
Working Hours Full-time positions available at 30 hours per week, working within the hours of Monday to Sunday, 6am - 9pm. Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to discuss working hours and shift patterns in further detail at interview.
Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Tuesday 9 June 2026. Communication on the progress of your application will be made via email and the career site, therefore please check regularly.
Kitchen Assistant - Eurospar Downpatrick employer: Henderson Group
Henderson Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Kitchen Assistants at our Eurospar Downpatrick location. With competitive pay rates, a strong commitment to employee development, and a culture rooted in teamwork and integrity, we ensure that our staff feel valued and empowered. Our family-owned ethos fosters a sense of community, making it a rewarding place to grow your career while contributing to meaningful initiatives within the local area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Assistant - Eurospar Downpatrick
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Henderson Group. Understand their values and what they stand for. This will help you show that you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your skills and experiences relate to the Kitchen Assistant role. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though it’s a kitchen role, showing up looking neat and professional can make a great first impression. It shows you take the opportunity seriously and respect the workplace environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a nice touch that reflects your integrity and professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Assistant - Eurospar Downpatrick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for cooking with fresh ingredients shine through. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about food and the kitchen environment!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight any relevant experience you have in a kitchen or food production setting. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Henderson Group.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to read and understand. No need for fluff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with fresh quality ingredients and their uses. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you would prepare them. This shows your passion for cooking and aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work in a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in a kitchen or similar environment. Henderson Group values teamwork, so demonstrating this will resonate well.
✨Understand Stock Management
Brush up on stock rotation practices and the importance of reducing waste. Be prepared to talk about any experience you have with inventory management or food safety regulations, as this is crucial for the Kitchen Assistant role.
✨Align with Their Values
Research Henderson Group’s core values: Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork, and Integrity. Think of examples from your past experiences that reflect these values, and be ready to share them during the interview.
