Kitchen porter

J D Wetherspoon; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal and drink

20% discount

Night shift premium

Bonus scheme

Guaranteed hours/variable hours

Paid holiday

Free shares

Loyalty rewards

Job summary

The Cooper Rose in Sunderland, operated by J D Wetherspoon, is hiring a kitchen porter. No prior experience required; a positive attitude and willingness to learn are key.

You’ll work as part of a team across various kitchen tasks, with shifts including mornings, evenings, weekends, and late finishes. Competitive hourly rate (£12.91) with a benefits package: free meal and drink on shift, 20% food and hotel discount, night-shift premium, and a bonus scheme up to 19%.

Qualifications

• No experience is needed, just a good attitude and willingness to learn.
• Calm head under pressure is valued.

Responsibilities

• Set up and close down potwash area and support other kitchen work stations.
• Follow dishwashing, grease-management and hand-hygiene procedures.
• Clean, polish and store cutlery.
• Manage waste, recycling and deliveries.
• Rotate stock and keep fridges, freezers and storage areas clean and organised.
• Perform defrost, preparation and general cleaning tasks.

Job description

Job Ref 662902

Job Title Kitchen porter

Pub The Cooper Rose, Sunderland

Salary £12.91

Closing Date 31-08-2026

The ideal applicant

We`re looking for fun, enthusiastic, passionate people to join our hard-working teams. No experience is needed, just a good attitude, a willingness to learn and a calm head under pressure. As a UK Top Employer with an award-winning training programme, we know that we can teach you the skills you`ll need to succeed.

Whether you`re looking for a long-term career or just some extra shifts, if you`re reliable, friendly and love working as part of a team - this role could be perfect for you.

What`s in it for you?

• competitive rate of pay
• a free meal and a drink, when working
• 20% discount on all food, drinks and hotel accommodation (for you and up to three guests), when not working
• £1 extra per hour, for hours worked during midnight-5.59am
• bonus scheme - earn up to 19% of your pay
• availability of guaranteed-hours contracts and variable-hours contracts
• paid holiday
• free shares (after a qualifying period)
• loyalty reward scheme

The role

At a glance, your role is to work as part of a team to set up and close down the potwash area, maintaining it throughout the shift (washing up, keeping equipment available and ensuring that hygiene standards are met consistently). You will communicate with the team to ensure that all required items are available for a smooth and efficient operation.

Our pubs open early and close late, so we offer great flexibility with shift patterns, including mornings, evenings, weekends and late finishes.

Duties Include

• setting up and closing down the potwash area and supporting other kitchen work stations
• following dishwashing, grease-management and hand-hygiene procedures
• cleaning, polishing and storing cutlery
• managing waste, recycling and correctly receiving and storing deliveries
• rotating stock and keeping fridges, freezers and storage areas clean and organised
• completing defrost, preparation and general cleaning tasks, following a clean-as-you-go approach
• maintaining high standards of food storage, safety and kitchen cleanliness

Progression and development

Most Wetherspoon team leaders and managers started in the kitchen or behind the bar.

If you`re looking to progress, we can support your development with:

• structured on-the-job training.
• apprenticeships and management academies.
• cross-training into other areas (bar, floor, hotel).
• opportunities to move into team-leader, kitchen-shift-leader and/or pub-manager roles.

Wetherspoon promotes an inclusive working environment where everyone is welcome.

When you`re at work, we want you to feel comfortable being yourself. Whatever your background, preferences or beliefs, we`ll ensure that you have the skills and knowledge you need for a great career with us.

Under-18s may attract a lower rate of pay, always in line with, but usually above, national guidelines.

If a high number of applications is received, this vacancy may close early.

Read more about our kitchen porter role

Hours Per Week

12