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- Tasks: Assist in a fast-paced kitchen, preparing and packaging fresh food products.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's leading foodservice provider with a family-owned culture.
- Benefits: Earn £11.90 to £12.25 per hour, enjoy staff discounts and an employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Flexible full-time hours with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: A passion for cooking and a desire to learn in a professional kitchen.
The predicted salary is between 22 - 23 £ per hour.
Pay rates ranging from £11.90 to £12.25 per hour depending on your age & great benefits. Full-time positions available at 37.5 hours per week, working within the hours of Monday to Sunday, 6:00am to 8:00pm, with a degree of flexibility required.
Our Doagh store in Ballyclare will be a hub of activity, offering convenience, value and excellent customer service to our local community and visitors. The store will have an impressive range of grocery, fresh and frozen produce and includes an amazing deli and specialist butcher.
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 6,000 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.
As Kitchen Assistant you will:
- 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.
If it is desirable if you had:
- 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.
Applicants should note that based on the response, the company may increase the shortlisting criteria.
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 37.5 hours per week, working within the hours of Monday to Sunday, 6:00am to 8:00pm, with a degree of flexibility required. 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 Sunday 10th May 2026. Communication on the progress of your application will be made via email and the career site, therefore please check regularly.
We are an equal opportunities employer.
Skills: Food Quality, Food Prep, Basic cooking, Food Preparation, Cooking, Food hygiene, Direct Food Preparation.
Kitchen Assistant TLNT1_NI employer: Henderson Group
Contact Detail:
Henderson Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Assistant TLNT1_NI
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Henderson Group. Understand their values like Ambition and Teamwork, and think about how you can demonstrate these in your answers.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on your experience in food preparation and how you can contribute to the kitchen team.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though it’s a kitchen role, looking smart and presentable shows you take the opportunity seriously. Plus, it sets a good first impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the company there.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Assistant TLNT1_NI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for cooking with fresh ingredients shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely love being in the kitchen!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight any relevant experience you have in food production or catering. Mention specific skills that align with what we’re looking for, like stock rotation or food hygiene practices.
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. Avoid fluff – we want the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role right there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of fresh ingredients commonly used in a kitchen. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you would prepare them, showcasing your enthusiasm for cooking.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is key in a kitchen environment, think of examples where you've successfully worked as part of a team. Highlight your ability to support colleagues and share knowledge, aligning with the company's core values.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to a kitchen setting. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure compliance with these regulations, especially regarding stock rotation and labelling.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The role requires flexibility in working hours, so be ready to discuss your availability. Show that you're adaptable and willing to take on various tasks across different departments, like the deli or bakery.