What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Assistant position at Valley Isle Chocolate?
Location: Kahului, Maui, HI (In-Person / Commercial Kitchen)
Pay Rate: $20-$25 / hour depending on experience
Schedule: Part-Time to start (approx. 18 hours/week across 2–3 days), with a path to Full-Time (35–40 hours/week) within 6 weeks for a great fit.
Experience: Entry-level / No prior chocolate experience required (We train!)
About Valley Isle Chocolate
At Valley Isle Chocolate, we are passionate about crafting high-quality, small-batch bean-to-bar chocolate right here on Maui. As our business grows, we are looking for a dedicated, hard-working individual to join our Kahului kitchen team. If you love working with your hands, take pride in a spotless workspace, and want to learn the art of craft chocolate making from the ground up, we want to hear from you!
Job Description
As a Production Assistant, you will be involved in all aspects of our chocolate-making process. You will work directly in our commercial kitchen, supporting production from raw cacao beans to finished, packaged bars.
This position starts at ~18 hours per week, serving as an initial mutual vetting period. For a reliable team member who shows a strong work ethic and passion for the craft, we are actively looking to expand this role to 35–40 hours per week within 6 weeks.
Key Responsibilities
- Chocolate Production: Assist with all stages of chocolate making, including prepping raw ingredients, monitoring machinery, pouring, tempering, and molding.
- Physical Handling: Lift and move heavy bags of cacao beans, equipment, and large batches of chocolate throughout the shift.
- Kitchen Sanitation: Maintain a pristine, sanitary work environment. Deep cleaning equipment, washing production dishes, and sweeping/mopping daily.
- Quality Control: Maintain high attention to detail to ensure every batch meets our quality and taste standards.
- Packaging: Wrap, label, and package finished products neatly and efficiently.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Physical Capability: Must be able to stand for the duration of a shift and comfortably lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis (moving bean sacks, heavy bowls, and ingredients).
- Food Safety: State of Hawaii Food Handlers Certificate required (or willingness to obtain one prior to your first day).
- Attention to Detail & Cleanliness: This is critical. You naturally notice the small details and take pride in keeping a workspace spotless.
- Reliability & Communication: Shows up on time, ready to work, takes direction well, and communicates proactively about scheduling.
- Transition Readiness: Must have long-term schedule availability that allows you to expand from initial part-time hours into full-time hours (35–40 hrs/wk) down the road.
- Kitchen Experience (Preferred, not required): Previous experience in a commercial kitchen, bakery, or food manufacturing facility is a plus, but we are fully willing to train the right person!
Why Work With Us?
- Comprehensive hands-on training in the art of artisan chocolate making.
- Clear, accelerated pathway to a full-time schedule for the right candidate.
- A supportive, growing local business environment based right in Kahului.
- Flexible, stable kitchen hours.
- (And of course, plenty of craft chocolate!)
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $20 - $25