Kitchen Porter

We are an award winning, internationally recognised Living Museum with 50 historic buildings and gardens set in the beautiful South Downs National Park. With extraordinary buildings, fascinating artefacts, glorious surroundings and friendly, dedicated people, the Weald and Downland Living Museum is a unique and rewarding place to work.

Our café sits within the museum's grounds but outside the ticketed entrance, so anyone can call in for a coffee, some lunch or a slice of cake without needing to visit the museum. We are keen to grow it as a destination and build a strong local following.

Job Title:  Kitchen Porter - Casual role

Reports to:  Food & Beverage Manager

Business Area: Cafe and Events

Shift Pattern: Monday - Sunday

Location: On-site

Salary: £10.85 - 12.71 per hour

Contract type:  Casual - Zero hour

About the role

We have a great opportunity for a committed Kitchen Porter to be an integral part of our kitchen team.

It is a varied, hands-on role: alongside the daily rhythm of the café, you would support our chefs during busy periods and help deliver events across the museum, working in a friendly team where no two days are quite the same. Full training is provided, so enthusiasm and a willingness to learn matter more than previous experience

The café is open daily from 9.00am to 4.30pm in the summer and 9.00am to 4.00pm in the winter. Most shifts fall within these hours, but the role might also involves supporting evening events, both in the café and at other venues across the museum, so some shifts will take place outside standard opening hours.

Key responsibilities:

• Operating and maintaining a commercial dishwasher
• Keeping a steady supply of clean equipment for use in the Café
• Maintaining a neat and tidy dish wash area and goods inwards area
• Removing recycling, food waste and rubbish
• Delivery and stock control
• Supporting the chefs with basic food preparation and service
• Assisting with any other reasonable tasks as requested by line manager

Person specification

Essential

The successful candidate will have multi-taking skills with a pro-active approach and a 'can-do’ attitude. Good standards of hygiene and tidiness, a keen eye for detail and the ability to cope in a fast-paced, high volume environment.

Desirable

• Level 2 food Hygiene Certificate (training will be provided, if you do not hold one)
• Previous experience in a hospitality environment is preferred but not essential; enthusiasm to learn is key
• Familiarity with food preparation, cooking processes, or kitchen operations is advantageous
• Basic understanding of hygiene standards and safety procedures in a culinary setting
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail
• Strong teamwork skills with a positive attitude toward supporting colleagues and guests

Our heritage is richer when it includes all voices. We are working to make our organisation an open, inclusive, and accessible place for people from every background. If you share our passion for connecting people with history in meaningful and inclusive ways, we would love to hear from you. We are happy to discuss any support you might need during the application process.

The Weald & Downland Living Museum is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children, vulnerable adults, staff, volunteers and visitors. All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks appropriate to the role.

All candidates must already hold the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

Please send a brief covering letter, CV and answer the following questions:

• What attracted you to this role and working at the Weald & Downland Living Museum?
• Have you got any hospitability or similar experience?
• The role involves daytime, weekend and occasional evening shifts. pease confirm what days / hours you are generally available to work

N.B: The museum is in a rural location near Singleton, served by a bus service (number 60). Free staff parking is also available.

To apply please ensure you answer all three questions in your covering letter.

Closing date:  Sunday 27 September 2026 - We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, and we may invite candidates to interview before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is appointed. So, we encourage you to apply early.

Pay: £10.85-£12.71 per hour

Expected hours: 0.0 per week

Work Location: In person