Kitchen Assistant / Baker Assistant
Milford Road Merchant is a small but busy general store based in the beautiful town of Te Anau on the edge of the Fiordland National Park. We offer food and drink to go / takeaway as well as ice cream by the scoop, arts, crafts and local / NZ made artisan products.
We are seeking a reliable and motivated Kitchen Assistant / Baker to join our small, hardworking team.
This role involves supporting daily kitchen operations, baking, and food preparation while helping maintain a clean, efficient, and creative work environment. You’ll also assist the main baker in the kitchen with day to day duties as well as stock management and, when needed popping out the front to help with customer service.
Key Responsibilities:Help the main baker to prepare, bake, and present food items to a high standard - this includes: heating pies, baking fresh scones, muffins, cinnamon swirls, pastries etc each morning
Assist with daily food preparation and kitchen organization.
Monitor and restock cabinet and pie warmer items throughout the day.
Maintain excellent hygiene and food safety standards, including record keeping.
Receive and store stock (chilled, frozen, and dry goods).
Assist with stock control, ordering, and inventory checks.
Support front-of-house operations as needed - customer service, coffee, till use
Contribute ideas for menu improvements and product innovation.
Keep the kitchen clean, organized, and compliant with health and safety requirements.
Requirements: Previous experience in a kitchen, bakery, or café environment preferred.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness.
Ability to work efficiently in a small team and under pressure.
Knowledge of food safety and handling standards (NZ regulations).
Flexible, proactive, and willing to learn new skills.
We are a small, but busy store so you would need to be able to work under a fast pace and able to handle the pressure of multi tasking. Not only will you be assisting with making food items, but also making milkshakes, smoothies and warming up food items for people to take away.
This position offers 30 hours per week (likely more over the busy period) and goes until the end of April. For the right person, this could be a permanent / full time contract.