Chef Manager - Cheltenham Manor

MEDICAL AND AGED CARE GROUP; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual leave loading

Employee Assistance Program

Refer-a-friend program

Staff awards program

Employee discounts

Professional development

Supportive team culture

Job summary

Medical & Aged Care Group in Melbourne is seeking a Chef Manager for Cheltenham Manor Aged Care to lead the kitchen and deliver outstanding dining experiences for residents.

You will drive menus tailored to dietary and cultural needs, mentor your kitchen team, manage procurement, and ensure compliance with food safety and aged care standards. This hands-on leadership role rewards initiative and compassion.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent) is required.
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate required.
• 3–5 years in a chef or kitchen management role, preferably in aged care or healthcare.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and dietary requirements for older people.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Diploma of Hospitality (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations and oversee daily food production to a consistently high standard.
• Develop and implement seasonal, rotating menus tailored to residents' dietary, cultural and clinical needs.
• Mentor, coaching and develop your kitchen team—creating a culture of pride, skill and excellence.
• Engage directly with residents to gather feedback and shape a dining experience they love.
• Manage food ordering, stock control, inventory and budgets efficiently.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, hygiene standards and aged care requirements.
• Collaborate with care and lifestyle teams to deliver truly holistic, resident-centred care.
• Drive continuous improvement through audits, documentation and quality initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Kitchen management

Team building

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Food Safety Supervisor Certificate

Diploma of Hospitality

Job description

Chef Manager Cheltenham Manor Aged Care

• Lead a kitchen that truly matters, every meal makes a difference!
• Be the heart and soul of dining at one of Melbourne's most loved aged care homes
• Join a family owned organisation that invests in its people and its food!

Medical & Aged Care Group (MACG) is a family owned and operated residential aged care organisation built on a foundation of genuine care for our residents, our teams, and our community. We believe that great food is central to great care, and we are proud to run kitchens that reflect that belief every single day.

This Is Your Moment! Are you a chef who is ready to step up? Someone who doesn't just want to cook, but wants to lead, inspire and own the kitchen they walk into every morning?

We are looking for a Chef Manager who brings energy, expertise and heart to the table. Someone who understands that for our residents, mealtimes aren't just about nutrition, they are one of the highlights of the day. A moment of comfort, familiarity, joy and connection.

This is your opportunity to be the person who makes that happen!

You will lead a passionate kitchen team, drive the standard of food and service, and create a dining experience that residents genuinely look forward to. You'll have the autonomy to put your stamp on the kitchen while being backed by the support of a close-knit, family-orientated organisation that genuinely values what you bring.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading all kitchen operations and overseeing daily food production to a consistently high standard
• Developing and implementing seasonal, rotating menus tailored to residents' dietary, cultural and clinical needs
• Mentoring, coaching and developing your kitchen team — creating a culture of pride, skill and excellence
• Engaging directly with residents to gather feedback and shape a dining experience they love
• Managing food ordering, stock control, inventory and budgets efficiently
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety legislation, hygiene standards and aged care requirements
• Collaborating with care and lifestyle teams to deliver truly holistic, resident-centred care
• Driving continuous improvement through audits, documentation and quality initiatives

Why Join MACG?

• Competitive Salary + Shift Allowances
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Refer-a-friend benefit program
• JB Hi-Fi employee discounts
• Home & Hearts Staff Awards Program
• Ongoing professional development and training
• A genuine team culture where you are valued, seen and supported

About You

• A natural leader who lifts the people around them
• Passionate about food and deeply committed to quality
• Empathetic and resident-focused — you understand what mealtimes mean to older Australians
• Calm under pressure, organised, and solutions-focused
• Someone who takes ownership and brings their best every shift

Qualifications & Experience

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent (required)
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (required)
• 3-5 years' experience in a chef or kitchen management role, preferably in aged care or healthcare
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and dietary requirements for older people
• Proven leadership and people management skills
• Diploma of Hospitality (highly regarded)

Requirements

• Australian working rights (required)
• Employment Police Check (required)

Our Values

Compassion | Integrity | Dignity | Diversity | Accountability | Family | Respect

If you are ready to step into a role where your skills, your leadership and your love of food will genuinely change lives, we want to hear from you!