Cook

Ember-Korowai-Takitini; Auckland; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional leave

Health & Wellbeing programme

Training opportunities

Meaningful impact in a values-led org

Job summary

Ember Group is seeking a Cook for the Puna Whakataa service in Manurewa to provide nourishing meals and a welcoming kitchen experience. You will oversee day-to-day cooking, menu planning, stock control and ensure a clean, safe environment for residents.

The role emphasises dietary accommodation, food safety, and a warm, reliable approach to supporting wellbeing through meals. Prior certificates in food handling and first aid are preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking for groups in residential or community settings.
• Ability to plan nutritious, varied menus.
• Experience managing stock and kitchen supplies.
• Ability to accommodate dietary requirements.

Responsibilities

• Run daily kitchen operations and prepare balanced meals.
• Plan menus and manage food stock and ordering.
• Keep the kitchen clean, organised and safe.
• Cater for dietary requirements and ensure meals are enjoyable.

Skills

Group meal prep experience

Menu planning

Food safety practices

Kitchen organisation

Dietary accommodation

Reliable and warm

Education

Safe Food Handling Certificate

First Aid Certificate

Full NZ Driver’s License

NZ residency or citizenship

Job description

• Cook
• Permanent Part-time | 25 hours per week
• Monday to Friday roster | 12.00pm to 5.30pm
• Puna Whakataa | Manurewa
• Bring people together through good food and make a difference every day.

Ember Korowai Takitini | Nga Matapono

Ember Korowai Takitini blends professional expertise and lived experience to offer a range of services and supports for anyone with mental health, addiction or intellectual disability needs

At Ember we support people to live the lives they choose and we challenge the systems that hold them back.

We desire a society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction and intellectual disability.

Ember offers:

• Additional leave, including recreation days and study leave.
• A comprehensive Health & Wellbeing programme, including wellbeing cards loaded with money to spend on your health needs, flu vaccinations, and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and more.
• Training opportunities for upskilling, personal & professional development, and career progression.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day in a values-led organisation.

The Service | Ko Te Whare O Puna Whakataa

Puna Whakataa is a 10-bed Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) respite and treatment residential service in Manurewa, delivered in partnership with The Salvation Army.

Puna Whakataa means the spring of rest and respite, reflecting the welcoming environment the service creates for people who need some time and support to get back on track.

Guests can stay for up to 14 days while remaining connected to their community and the specialist AOD services supporting them.

Role | Nga mahi

This is more than preparing dinner.

As our Cook, you'll help create a welcoming and positive experience for the people staying at Puna Whakataa through nutritious, thoughtfully prepared food.

You'll take ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, preparing balanced meals, planning menus, managing food supplies and stock, and ensuring the kitchen remains clean, organised and safe. You'll also cater for dietary requirements and help make mealtimes something our guests can enjoy and look forward to.

You will have | Nga Pukenga

• Experience preparing meals for groups, ideally within a residential, community or similar environment
• Confidence planning nutritious and varied menus
• Experience managing food stock, ordering and kitchen supplies
• The ability to accommodate dietary requirements
• Strong food safety, hygiene and kitchen organisation practices
• A Safe Food Handling Certificate
• A current First Aid Certificate
• A current Full New Zealand Driver’s license (required)
• A valid/current work visa, residency, or NZ citizenship
• Warmth, reliability and a genuine interest in contributing to the wellbeing of others

A New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4 would be an advantage but isn't essential.

If you have your own lived experience of AOD challenges and recovery, this may also bring valuable insight to the role.

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Maku e ki atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata”

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Ember is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. We particularly welcome applications from our Māori, Pacific and Rainbow communities.

We will interview candidates as applications come through rather than waiting until the advertisement closes. The vacancy may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.