Packer (Seasonal)

Job Description

Job Description

About us:

From innovative menus and striking design to impeccable service and critical attention to detail, at Great Performances, we weave our mission into all we do. Serving New York City for over four decades has evolved from a waitress staffing agency to the leading catering, events, and hospitality companies in the greater New York area. We provide food services in an array of celebrated New York City cultural institutions, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Wave Hill, and The Apollo Theater. We are known for full-service catering and events, corporate workplace dining and amenity programs, and large-scale event and festival production. Great Performances is the nation’s first caterer to own and operate an organic farm, Katchkie Farm located in Kinderhook, NY. Progressive from the start, we consistently set the pace for industry best practices.

We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals to join our team and to support our vision, mission, and values through everything they do. If you share our passion and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply.

Our Vision: Building Community to Better Our World

Our Mission: Unleash Joy through Genuine Hospitality

Our Core Values:

Craftsmanship: developing new menus, designs, and moments to deliver engaging experiences to our clients and guests.

People: creating fair access, opportunity, and advancement for everyone. Our employees are our greatest asset.

Sustainability: upholding and elevating standards for sustainable behaviors that support our planet.

Collaboration: aligning with our clients’, colleagues’, and community’s visions to execute a successful experience.

Doing Good through Food: engaging in action around food access, health and wellness, education, and philanthropy.

We are seeking a reliable, detail-oriented, and organized packer to support our off-premise catering operations during peak event periods. The ideal candidate will ensure all food, equipment, and supplies are properly packed, labeled, and prepared for delivery to off-site venues. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, maintains high standards of accuracy and organization, and works collaboratively with chefs, packers, and operations staff to ensure seamless event preparation. Prior experience in catering, kitchen production, or warehouse packing is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Event Packing & Preparation

• Pack food, beverages, equipment, smallwares, and supplies for off-premise events according to approved menus, event specifications, and packing lists.
• Review and verify all pack-outs for accuracy and completeness before scheduled departure times.
• Clearly label proofers, equipment, food items, and event materials to ensure proper identification, handling, and delivery.
• Prepare and pre-pack upcoming events, including next-day events, to support efficient production and on-time departures.
• Coordinate with chefs and production teams to ensure all required food, equipment, and supplies are included in each event pack-out.
• Verify that tastings, special events, and other designated functions are packed according to event-specific requirements.
• Identify missing items, substitutions, or discrepancies and communicate them promptly to the appropriate supervisor before departure.

Organization & Inventory Support

• Maintain clean, organized, and efficient pack-out, dry storage, refrigerated, and freezer areas.
• Ensure food, equipment, and supplies are properly stored, labeled, rotated, and easily accessible.
• Assist with receiving, sorting, and organizing equipment and supplies returned from events.
• Support grocery and specialty-item packing for upcoming events.
• Monitor packing supplies and frequently used event items and communicate shortages or inventory concerns to supervisors.
• Help maintain an organized workflow that supports efficient packing, receiving, and event preparation.

Operational & Team Support

• Collaborate with chefs, production teams, receiving staff, warehouse personnel, and fellow packers to support efficient daily operations and successful event execution.
• Follow established packing procedures, food safety requirements, sanitation standards, and company policies.
• Handle food and equipment safely and maintain proper temperature controls throughout the packing process.
• Support the cleanliness and organization of the kitchen, pack-out, storage, and receiving areas.
• Assist with additional production, packing, receiving, and operational needs as assigned.
• Responsibilities may evolve based on the needs of the organization and operation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in catering, food service, culinary production, warehouse packing, or a related environment preferred.
• Experience in a high-volume catering, commissary, or food production environment strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with catering equipment, food handling, packing procedures, and event production is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately follow menus, packing lists, and event specifications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work efficiently and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Ability to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to work for extended periods in refrigerated and freezer environments, including walk-in refrigerators and freezers.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and regularly bend, reach, push, pull, lift, carry, and move throughout the shift.

Why Join Our Team?

Join a dynamic and fast-paced catering team that brings some of New York City’s most exciting events to life. As a packer, you’ll play a vital role behind the scenes, ensuring every event is set up for success while working alongside passionate hospitality professionals. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build valuable skills, and be part of a supportive, team-driven environment where your work truly makes an impact.

Location: Bronx, New York

Schedule: Seasonal, On-Site

Base salary: $18.00/hour

Benefits: Paid and unpaid safe and sick hours

Must be able to provide valid documentation that you are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Great Performances is an equal opportunity employer. At Great Performances, we employ qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience. Great Performances does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based on race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.