Junior Sous Chef

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

Hours: Minimum 30 hours per week

Pay Rate: $30.00 -$37.00 per hour, depending on experience

Start Date: As soon as reasonably practicable

About the Role

We are looking for a reliable and motivated Junior Sous Chef to join our kitchen team on a full-time basis.

This role is suitable for someone who has built solid hands-on experience in a commercial kitchen environment and is ready to take the next step into a more responsible kitchen role. The successful candidate will support the Head Chef/Sous Chef in daily kitchen operations, food preparation,service readiness, stock control, hygiene standards, and supervision of junior kitchen staff.

The role requires someone who understands the pace, pressure, cleanliness, and discipline required in a busy hospitality kitchen. Prior experience as a Kitchen Hand, Kitchen Assistant, Commis Chef,Junior Chef, or similar kitchen operations role will be considered, especially where the person has been exposed to food preparation, stock handling, kitchen systems, and assisting chefs during service.

Key Responsibilities

The Junior Sous Chef will be responsible for:

• Assisting the Head Chef/Sous Chef with daily kitchen preparation and service requirements.
• Preparing ingredients, sauces, garnishes, basic menu items, and components of dishes as

directed.

• Supporting the preparation, portioning, plating, and presentation of meals to the required standard.
• Ensuring food is prepared and stored in accordance with food safety and hygiene

requirements.

• Maintaining clean, organised, and sanitised workstations before, during, and after service.
• Supporting smooth kitchen operations during busy service periods.
• Assisting with stock receiving, checking deliveries, labelling, dating, and rotating stock.
• Monitoring stock levels and reporting shortages, wastage, or quality concerns to senior

chefs.

• Helping ensure chillers, freezers, dry storage, and preparation areas are kept clean and

organised.

• Following standard recipes, portion-control requirements, and kitchen procedures.
• Assisting with ordering preparation lists, daily prep lists, and service checklists.
• Helping train, guide, and support junior kitchen staff, kitchen hands, or new team members.
• Communicating effectively with chefs, kitchen staff, and front-of-house staff.
• Reporting equipment faults, maintenance issues, hazards, or unsafe practices promptly.
• Supporting the Head Chef/Sous Chef in maintaining consistent food quality and kitchen

standards.

• Deputising for senior kitchen staff on limited routine matters when required and when

appropriately directed.

• Performing other reasonable kitchen duties required by the employer.

Skills and Experience Required

The successful applicant should have

• At least 1 to 2 years of experience in a commercial kitchen environment, such as Kitchen

Hand, Kitchen Assistant, Commis Chef, Junior Chef, or similar.

• Practical understanding of kitchen hygiene, food safety, cleaning standards, and safe food handling.
• Experience assisting chefs with food preparation, service readiness, stock handling, or

kitchen organisation.

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions accurately.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• A reliable, honest, and team-focused attitude.
• Willingness to learn, take feedback, and develop into a stronger chef role.
• Ability to support junior team members and maintain a positive kitchen culture.
• Basic understanding of portion control, presentation, and food-cost awareness is preferred.
• Relevant hospitality or food safety training will be an advantage but is not mandatory.

Why This Role May Suit You

This position is ideal for a candidate who has already worked closely with chefs in a commercial

kitchen and understands the operational side of food service, including preparation, cleaning, stock

control, hygiene, and service support.

We are looking for someone who is ready to progress from a support-based kitchen role into a more

skilled and responsible chef position, with training and supervision from senior kitchen staff.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will be

• Reliable and punctual.
• Calm under pressure.
• Clean, tidy, and disciplined in the kitchen.
• Willing to learn and improve.
• Respectful towards senior chefs and team members.
• Able to take initiative when required.
• Focused on consistent food quality and safe kitchen practices.
• Committed to long-term growth within the business.

How to Apply

Please apply with your updated CV and a brief cover letter outlining your kitchen experience,

including any experience in food preparation, assisting chefs, stock control, cleaning standards, or

working in a busy commercial kitchen.