Cheesery Assistant

Hohepahawkesbay; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A disability support service in Hawke's Bay seeks a full-time cheesery assistant to help create award-winning dairy products. The role involves teamwork with people with intellectual disabilities while ensuring high-quality production and compliance with safety standards. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn about food production. This position offers a supportive environment for career growth and flexibility in hours.

Benefits

Discounted gym membership

Free parking

Local business discounts

Discounted prices on products

Supportive career progression environment

Qualifications

• Be able to display empathy and respect.
• Knowledge in food production, preferably dairy – however this can be taught.
• Be physically fit and strong; the role can be physically demanding at times.
• Have a mature attitude and good interpersonal skills.
• Be drug free and able to meet background check requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high-quality cheese and dairy production.
• Work in partnership with the team to maintain compliance with food safety.
• Support people with disabilities in the cheesery.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Empathy

Physical fitness

Knowledge in food production

Job description

Overview

Hōhepa is a disability support service in Hawke’s Bay for people with intellectual disabilities. These people are full of life, and you will be helping them to reach their potential!

We operate a special school, residential homes, day activities, and a wide range of enterprises, including artisan cheese making. As a special character organisation, based on Anthroposophical principles, our vision is He oranga tū, Hei oranga waiora (’every life fully lived’).

Benefits

• Discounted gym membership.
• Free parking at our main sites and houses.
• A range of other local business discounts, such as Mitre 10 Napier.
• Discounted prices on Hōhepa Products (dairy, woodwork, candles etc.).
• Hōhepa provides a supportive environment for growth and career progression - our GM started as a volunteer 20+ years ago!

Role

As a cheesery assistant, you will be joining a close knit cheesery team who work together with the people we support to create some of the best, award-winning nationally and internationally celebrated biodynamic and organic dairy products. We are unique in that our primary purpose is to provide work opportunities for the people we support. This is a chance to be a part of a unique food production story – and sharing in Hohepa’s unique vision.

This is a full-time position 37.5 hours over 5 days per week, predominantly Monday to Friday, however some weekend work and flexibility is required to meet the seasonality of this type of work.

Responsibilities

• You will have great interpersonal skills. Ideally have some experience working in the dairy industry, preferably cheesemaking or in a food production capacity. You will work in partnership with our team to ensure high-quality cheese and dairy production while maintaining compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications and attributes

• Be able to display empathy and respect.
• Knowledge in food production, preferably dairy – however this can be taught!
• Be physically fit and strong; the role can be physically demanding at times.
• Have a mature attitude and good interpersonal skills; this includes being practical and ‘down to earth’ about the nature of the role and being able to work with people who may have behaviour which can be challenging.
• Be drug free, and able to meet background check requirements (reference and police vetting report checks).

Curious? want to know more? Contact our Recruitment Manager on 0272654697