Kitchen Assistant (Casual) - Palmerston North Hospital x 6

Compass Group New Zealand; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Career development

Rewards & recognition

Health & safety focus

Discounts on health services

Site-specific benefits

Weekend shift premium

Job summary

Compass Group New Zealand is seeking a Kitchen Assistant for Palmerston North Hospital on a casual, as‑and‑when‑required basis. You will support food preparation, maintain hygiene, and assist in delivering safe, patient-focused catering services in a hospital setting.

The role emphasizes hands-on work in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to develop skills through comprehensive training and a supportive team culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen or hospitality environment preferred but not essential.
• Reliable, hardworking team player with a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions.
• Physically fit and comfortable in a hands-on, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation, portioning, and presenting for daily service.
• Maintain clean and hygienic kitchen and dining areas, including dishwashing and equipment cleaning.
• Deliver friendly and professional customer service to patients and staff.
• Support stock handling, replenishment, and adherence to food safety procedures.
• Follow health and safety, food safety, and hygiene standards at all times.

Skills

Team player

Good communication

Hardworking

Physically fit

Job description

• Make a real difference – support patient wellbeing through food service in a hospital environment.
• Hands‑on and varied role – from food prep to cleaning and service, no two days are the same.
• Supportive team culture – work alongside people who care about quality, safety, and teamwork.

He angitūtanga | The opportunity

As a Kitchen Assistant, you will help deliver high‑quality catering services at Palmerston North Hospital. You’ll support food preparation, maintain hygiene standards, and assist in delivering a professional and safe service to patients and staff. This is a Casual position where hours of work are "as and when" required basis upon business needs.

Ko o kawenga | Your responsibilities

• Assist with preparing, portioning, and presenting food for daily service.
• Maintain clean and hygienic kitchen and dining areas, including dishwashing and equipment cleaning.
• Deliver friendly and professional customer service to patients and staff.
• Support stock handling, replenishment, and adherence to food safety procedures.
• Follow all health & safety, food safety, and hygiene standards at all times.

He kōrero mōu | About you

• Experience in a kitchen or hospitality environment (preferred but not essential).
• A reliable, hardworking team player with a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions.
• Physically fit and comfortable in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment.
• A strong focus on hygiene, safety, and delivering quality service.

Ngā painga | Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Training & Development: Access to online learning programs, apprenticeships, and NZQA qualifications to support your career growth.
• Formal Career Paths: We offer formal career paths to help you achieve your professional goals.
• Rewards & Recognition: Celebrate your achievements with our Star Awards, Service Awards, and annual performance bonuses.
• Health & Safety Focus: A commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment, prioritizing the well‑being of employees and customers.
• Corporate & Retail Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on health insurance, gym memberships, optometry services, and more.
• Site‑Specific Benefits: Free uniforms, and access to hospital staff facilities.
• opportunity to earn extra on weekends

Mō mātou | About us

• We are New Zealand's leading and largest food and support services provider across multiple industries.
• Our sub‑brands, Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates, Medirest, ESS and Rapport manage these industry sectors.
• We specialise in turning ordinary acts of service into extraordinary experiential moments for our clients. With innovative and talented teams across New Zealand, we transform experiences from being GOOD to GREAT.
• Our people are awesome, they breathe life into our brands and make great things happen!
• Our strength comes from the combination of the things we have in common - our shared values, vision, and purpose and to make our commitment unique for you - RESPECT, GROWTH, and TEAMWORK are the founding pillars of these commitments.
• We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our customers, suppliers, and colleagues. We also prioritise sustainability in everything we do, ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Successful candidates will be able to pass pre‑employment checks satisfactorily.

Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.