Central Kitchen Manager

BlueCare; Bundaberg; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900 + meal

Employee discounts platform

12 weeks parental leave

Diversity and inclusive leave

Career development opportunities

Job summary

BlueCare Bundaberg is seeking a Central Kitchen Manager to lead the Bundaberg Central Production Kitchen, delivering Cook Chill meals for residents across two facilities supporting about 220 beds and up to 650 meals daily.

You will drive quality, safety and compliance, develop resident-focused menus with the Resident Experience Manager, coach kitchen teams and manage stock, procurement and equipment while monitoring KPIs and overall financial performance.

Qualifications

• Qualified chef with supervisory experience at Senior Sous or Executive level.
• Certificate III Commercial Cookery or equivalent, or supervisory background.
• 3–5 years' experience in large-scale food service operations.
• Experience in commercial or institutional food production environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of Bundaberg Central Production Kitchen.
• Drive quality, food safety, and compliance across kitchen operations.
• Partner with Resident Experience Manager to develop resident-focused menus.
• Lead, coach, and develop kitchen teams including recruitment and training.
• Oversee stock control, procurement support, equipment maintenance, and efficiency.
• Monitor financial performance, KPIs, and continuous improvement.
• Support Cook Chill production systems across multiple sites.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Quality & safety

Menu development

Staff coaching

Procurement & stock control

Financial KPI awareness

Cook Chill systems

Stakeholder management

Education

Certificate III Commercial Cookery

Trade qualification / supervisory background

Open Driver Licence

Job description

Employment Term: Permanent Full Time (Mon-Fri)

Remuneration:Competitive Salary+ Super + Not for Profit Salary Packaging + Penalties & Allowances

Make a meaningful difference with BlueCare

We’re looking for someone who wants to build meaningful relationships and make a difference in the lives of others - through small moments that leave big impacts.

About the role

As our Central Kitchen Manager, you'll take a hands‑on leadership role overseeing food production operations across BlueCare's Bundaberg Production Kitchen. You will ensure the delivery of high‑quality Cook Chill meals for residents and other customers across two facilities in Bundaberg; supporting approximately 220 beds and producing up to 650 meals per day.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and support the day‑to‑day operations of the Bundaberg Central Production Kitchen
• Drive quality, food safety, and compliance across all kitchen operations
• Partner with the Resident Experience Manager to develop nutritious, resident‑focused menus and recipes
• Lead, coach, and develop kitchen teams, including recruitment, training, and performance management
• Oversee stock control, procurement support, equipment maintenance, and operational efficiency
• Monitor financial performance, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support Cook Chill production systems and provide technical expertise across multiple sites
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and enhance resident satisfaction through quality food services

Essential Qualifications & Licences:

• Qualified Chef at Senior Sous Chef, Executive Chef, or equivalent level
• A relevant trade or operational qualification (e.g. Certificate III Commercial Cookery or similar), or equivalent supervisory experience
• Minimum 3-5 years' experience within large‑scale food service operations
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial or institutional food production environments
• Current Open Driver Licence
• A sound knowledge of Cook Chill Operations – preferably within Institutional Facilities

Knowledge and Experience:

• A Sound knowledge of modern trends, and proven ability to implement these trends within Aged Care.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of Food Safety / HACCP Compliance / WH&S / Food Safety principles, including implementing and maintaining a microbiological testing regime (temperature monitoring, food safety, and cleaning procedures).
• A proven ability to support Site Staff & Supervisors within a Complex Structure.
• A proven ability to foster and enhance a Team Environment and work within the Values & Culture of the Organisation.
• A proven ability to prioritise tasks and use of available resources to effectively manage the required outcomes.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and written communication skills, including intermediate computer skills.
• Experience working in aged care

We warmly encourage applications from First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with disability, and people of all genders and identities.

Employee Benefits:

• Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum
• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs
• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme
• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events
• Career development opportunitieswith one of the most trusted community and residential care providers in Australia to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference

BlueCare is proudly part of the UnitingCare Family, we’d love you to be too

Joining the state’s largest network of aged care workers with its over 8,000 strong, bright team in blue, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. With more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands ofBlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital,you are part of something bigger. Our team are compassionate, inclusive and committed to the work we do, helping people live life in all its fullness.

Child safe, Child friendly

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will:

• Provide welcoming, safe & nurturing services for children
• Implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services
• Appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur
• Abide by the Child Safe Standards and adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme

Diversity & Inclusion

Our approach is simple–everybody iswelcome here. At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values.We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long‑term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.For additional support and to meet our RAP Team, email **************@ucareqld.com.au

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed in creating services and workplaces that are welcoming and safe for every person. We work together to protect children, young people, adults and the elderly from harm within our services and the communities we support. We speak up for their safety to ensure their voices are heard. Our recruitment and workplace practices reflect our dedication in preventing abuse, harm and exploitation across UnitingCare.