Head Chef

State Sport Centres; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Performance gym membership discount

Discount at SSCT outlets

Complimentary court hire for casual/SS

Training & development

Job summary

State Sport Centres is seeking a hands-on Head Chef for the State Netball & Hockey Centre in Parkville. You will lead a small kitchen team, oversee daily café trade, and manage catering for functions and events.

You will design nutritious, seasonal menus for athletes and community users, cost and deliver profitable catering packages, and ensure OH&S and food safety standards across all operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years' experience in a Sous Chef role or 5+ years in a Chef de Partie or equivalent senior culinary position.
• Experience in high-volume café, production kitchen, or event catering environment.
• Strong commercial acumen including food costs, labour budgets, procurement and stock control.
• Sound knowledge of commercial kitchen operations, food safety practices and risk management.
• Certificates as listed in qualifications (CCC/SIT30821, SIT40521).
• Food Safety Supervisor qualifications and First Aid/CPR credentials.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support kitchen team to deliver high-quality food across daily café trade, functions and events.
• Create nutritious, seasonal menus for athletes, venue users and community.
• Design, cost and implement profitable event and function catering packages.
• Manage kitchen financial performance: food costs, purchasing, stock control, wastage reduction.
• Plan production schedules and resourcing to meet operational demands.
• Recruit, train and develop kitchen staff and coordinate agency chefs for major events.
• Ensure OH&S, HACCP, food hygiene and safety standards at all times.
• Maintain flexibility to support venue operations, including weekends and evenings.

Skills

Sous Chef

High-volume catering

Food cost management

Food safety

OH&S/HACCP

First Aid CPR

Working with Children Check

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Certificate IV in Kitchen Management

Food Safety Supervisor qualifications

Job description

About State Sport Centres

The Victorian State Sport Centres Trust (SSCT) operates and maintains over $1 billion assets including four of Australia’s largest multi-sport venues, the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), the State Netball and Hockey Centre (SNHC), Lakeside Stadium incorporating the State Athletics Centre, and Knox Regional Sports Park including the State Basketball Centre (SBC). Unlike other major international standard venues that host sport and entertainment events, SSCT venues also provide access for users at all levels, from elite and professional athletes to school and community participants 7 days per week, up to 16 hours a day. Through the provision of access for all, SSCT makes a unique and significant contribution to Victoria’s sport sector. Four Workplace Values underpin the work we do: Teamwork, Safety, Excellence & Respect.

About the role

Based at the State Netball & Hockey Centre (Parkville), the Head Chef is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the culinary execution of daily café operations, high-volume event catering, and the design and delivery of catering packages for functions and events. The role leads a small kitchen team while supporting wider Food & Beverage operations to deliver high-quality food, exceptional service, and industry-leading food safety standards. As the Head Chef, your primary responsibilities will include: Leading and supporting the kitchen team to deliver high-quality food across daily café trade, functions, and events. Creating nutritious and seasonal menus that cater to athletes, venue users, and the broader community. Designing, costing, and implementing profitable event and function catering packages. Managing kitchen financial performance, including food costs, purchasing, stock control, and wastage reduction. Planning production schedules and resourcing requirements to meet operational and event demands. Recruiting, training, and developing kitchen team members while coordinating agency chefs during major events. Ensuring compliance with OH&S, HACCP, food hygiene, and food safety standards at all times. Maintaining flexibility to support venue operations, including weekend and occasional evening work.

Required skills and Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years' experience in a Sous Chef role or 5+ years in a Chef de Partie or equivalent senior culinary position.
• Demonstrated experience in a high-volume café, production kitchen, or event catering environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience managing food costs, labour budgets, procurement, and stock control.
• Sound knowledge of commercial kitchen operations, food safety practices, and risk management.
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821) or Certificate IV in Kitchen Management (SIT40521).
• Food Safety Supervisor qualifications (SITXFSA005 and SITXFSA006).
• Current Provide First Aid (HLTAID011), including CPR.
• Valid Working with Children Check.
• Shortlisted candidates may be subject to pre-employment screenings, including criminal record, social media, and adverse media checks.

Why is this a great place to work?

You will love working at the State Sport Centres. Here’s just a few reasons why:

Our Patrons and Teams

You’ll be surrounded by elite athletes daily and supporting a wide range of elite sports and world-class events, as well as community sport and recreation. You’ll be challenged daily and can develop yourself as a person as well as gaining valuable career skills. You’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive team of people who are great to work with.

Our Venues

• Free parking
• MSAC Gym and Performance Membership including family and friends’ discounts
• Discount at SSCT food & beverage and retail outlets
• Complimentary court hire for casual bookings across SSCT venues
• Our Workplace Training and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program providing free confidential support for your mental health
• Inclusive environment recognising our diverse workforce and community
• Employee recognition through our Values in Action program

SSCT values diversity, is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and from people with disabilities.

The State Sport Centres Trust (SSCT) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have a zero tolerance for racism, child abuse, discrimination and inequality. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are visitors to our venues and facilities. Successful applicants will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check before being able to commence employment.