Zingerman's Mail Order Seasonal Holiday Kitchen Crew

Zingerman’s Mail Order is hiring seasonal crew to work in our kitchen - prepping food, supporting production, and helping prepare delicious meals for our staff!

About Us

Zingerman’s Mail Order is the online and catalog shop for Zingerman’s. We ship great food and gifts all across America, everything from bread and cheese to cured ham and tinned fish.

The holidays at Zingerman's Mail Order are exciting, fast-paced and a lot of fun. We grow from a crew of 100 to a team of nearly 500. People come to work here from all walks of life. Moms, dads, students, retirees, landscapers, artists. Some people are in between jobs. For some folks, this is their first job. Some join us for the season, while others may wish to seek long-term opportunities. Every reason for joining is welcomed. Many of our current team members began their journey with us as part of our holiday crew!

We'd love for you to join us!

What kinds of things do you do in this job?

Employee meals are one of the perks we offer our team - and you’ll help make them happen! As a member of our kitchen crew, you’ll work alongside a fun, fast-paced team to prepare and serve delicious, locally sourced meals to Zingerman’s Mail Order staff, serving over 400 people a day during the busy December season. But that’s just part of what we do! You’ll also help produce some of our most-loved foods made right in our kitchen.

• We clean a lot. After every meal, including washing dishes, refrigerators, prep surfaces and more.  
• Preparing and serving meals to our staff (over 400 people a day in December)
• You will set up & tear down for each meal
• Keep the employee break rooms and kitchen spaces clean
• Sweep & mop floors
• Work from opening and closing checklists
• You will follow checklists and standard operating procedures in order to keep our food & kitchen safe, clean & tidy. 
• You will be also be making & packaging our very own Spiced Pecans

What is the pay?
$16.50 per hour (Day & Mid shifts)
$17.50 per hour (Overnight shift )

Where is this job?

Zingerman’s warehouse is located at 610 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. We are on the AATA bus route.

What does it take to get hired in our Kitchen & Employee Meal department?

There are lots of things we are hoping to find in anyone who applies. (We've listed them below.) But there are three musts:

1. You must have experience cooking & preparing food in a commercial kitchen.

2. You must meet availability requirements to be considered for this position.  Full time availability is preferred.  Part time availability will be considered. You must be able to work a minimum of 3 shifts per week. Applicants with weekend and open availability will be given priority.

             Available Shifts: 

                    Day Shift: 8am-4pm (October - December)

                    Mid Shift: 1pm-9pm (October -  December)

                    Evening Shift: 8pm-6am (December only)

3. This is a physically active role. You’ll need to be comfortable bending, lifting, and being on your feet for the full shift.

What kinds of personal traits fit well in this job?

• You’re a natural problem-solver. If something’s not right, you’re not satisfied until it’s fixed
• You can handle repetitive tasks without mentally checking out
• You enjoy the challenge of following standard procedures while still adding your own thoughtful touch
• You prioritize punctuality - running late isn’t your style
• You have reliable transportation to and from work
• You’re up for new experiences - something tells you that surviving a wild holiday season in a windowless warehouse surrounded by 10,000 breads and coffee cakes might actually be kind of fun
• You take feedback well - you hear it, absorb it, and use it to get even better
• You’ve got a deep well of relentless, outrageous enthusiasm and energy - and maybe even a love for food
• You’re kind, considerate, and easy to work with (We are too)

When does this job begin and end?
Work starts in October and ends on or around December 23rd, 2025

Are there any other perks?

Absolutely. All training is paid, and all breaks are paid, too. If you're scheduled for a longer shift that includes a lunch or dinner break, we’ll serve up a free, homemade meal (and yes, it’s delicious).

You’ll also get a 50% discount on nearly everything we sell, plus a 10% discount at other Zingerman’s businesses like the Deli, Bakehouse, Roadhouse, and Miss Kim. On top of that, enjoy discounts at some great local spots like Literati Bookstore, Mast Shoes and more.

Will I get full time work?

Yes! We offer both full-time and part-time schedules. Whether you're looking for a full-time role or just a few shifts a week, we’re happy to work with your availability.

Can I apply for year round work after the job ends?
Yes! We encourage it. Almost all of us who work here started as seasonal holiday crew. We usually have a limited number of positions at Mail Order and elsewhere in the Zingerman's Community of Businesses after the job ends.

What's the hiring process like?

It’s quick. We don't have a typical interview for our holiday crew. We’ll ask you to come in to complete some paperwork. That’s it. When you’re done you’ll leave knowing when to return for your first paid shift. You can choose a date. We can get you working within one week, usually sooner. We aim to get you working and paid as soon as possible.

There are a few key things that will set you up for success in this role:

• A genuine love for food - it’s at the heart of everything we do
• Experience with food prep and cooking, especially in a fast-paced environment
• The ability to read and speak English fluently
• Comfort following both written and verbal instructions
• A ServSafe certification is a plus, but not required
• You must be 18 years of age or older