Kitchen Porter

Porter / Cleaning Associate Kolkata Chai Co. — East Village & Nolita, NYC Type: Part-Time, Hourly Compensation: $17-19/hour  About Kolkata Chai Co. Kolkata Chai Co. is New York City's authentic Indian chai brand, rooted in family recipes and built on a commitment to cultural authenticity. From our two Manhattan cafes in the East Village and Nolita to our growing DTC, Amazon, and wholesale channels, we bring genuine Indian cafe culture — chai, snacks, and street food — to a national audience. Join a tight-knit team that takes pride in quality, hospitality, and craft. Position Overview We're hiring a reliable, detail-oriented Porter to maintain the cleanliness and operational readiness of our cafe during evening hours. This role is essential to our daily operations — you'll be the reason our team can open each morning to a spotless, fully-prepped space. The ideal candidate takes pride in thorough work, moves with purpose, and can work independently with minimal supervision. Requirements Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs repeatedly throughout a shift Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently Strong attention to detail and high standards for cleanliness Prior porter, dishwasher, or cafe/restaurant cleaning experience preferred but not required Must be authorized to work in the United States Physical Requirements The role requires well-paced mobility for the duration of a 4–5 hour shift. The Porter is regularly required to: lift and carry up to 50 lbs; frequently stand, walk, reach, bend, stoop, push, pull, and kneel; navigate stairs between two cafe levels while carrying supplies; occasionally crouch and climb. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, hot equipment surfaces, frequent contact of hands with water, and temperature fluctuations from walk-in coolers to kitchen line is expected. Daily Responsibilities Sweep and mop all floors on both levels (upstairs and downstairs) Clean and sanitize garbage bins and entrance mats outside the cafe Clean interior and exterior glass surfaces, including windows and display cases Filter and clean the deep fryer per equipment SOPs Hose down the exterior cafe area Clean the griddle surface following posted procedures Assist with trash and recycling removal to designated areas Clean and sanitize bathrooms in full — toilet, sink, floors, surfaces — and restock hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper Weekly & Periodic Responsibilities Move and clean behind all equipment (espresso machines, fridges, prep stations) Bleach floor drains to prevent buildup and odor Clean the soft serve machine twice weekly per manufacturer guidelines Deep-clean the ice machine monthly Dust and wipe down all shelving, both front-of-house and back-of-house Deep-clean interior of all refrigerators — door linings, racks, vents, and gaskets Benefits & Perks NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave (per NYC law) 50% employee discount across cafes and DTC Free shift meal and chai Opportunity to grow with a fast-scaling NYC food & beverage brand Supportive, respectful team environment Equal Employment Opportunity Kolkata Chai Co. is an equal opportunity employer. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job should contact us directly. More detail about Kolkata Chai Co - Nolita part of Kolkata Chai Co, please visit