Head Chef

Compass Group Pty Limited; Perth; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite parking

Paid stand down during holiday periods

Weekday roster

Salary packaging options

Retail discounts

Paid parental leave (12 weeks)

Training & development

Job summary

Chartwells, based at Swanbourne in a private school, is seeking a Head Chef to own the kitchen and lead from the front. You will drive quality, safety and presentation across all dining services for 1400+ students and staff.

You will mentor a diverse kitchen team, manage food costs and ensure HACCP compliance, while maintaining a Monday–Friday roster with some weekend events and stand-down during holidays.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume environment.
• Lead, mentor and develop a diverse kitchen team.
• Financially proactive, including managing food cost, margins and kitchen performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse kitchen team.
• Drive consistency, quality, and presentation across all services and events.
• Oversee inventory, procurement, cost control and minimise waste.
• Ensure HACCP, hygiene and brand standards.
• Support day-to-day operations and events.
• Plan, supervise and monitor food production for residential, functions and retail catering for 1400+ students and staff.
• Maintain food safety, allergen awareness and OHS standards.
• Uphold highest standards of food quality and presentation.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary excellence

Food cost management

Communication

HACCP compliance

Allergen management

Education

Cert. III Commercial Cookery

Food Safety Supervisor

Job description

Head Chef

$95,000 + 12% Super

• Based in Swanbourne / Private school
• Dynamic Leadership Opportunity
• Free onsite parking
• Predominantly Monday to Friday, maximum 44 active working weeks per year.
• Stand down paid through shut down periods

Chartwells are specialists in providing catering and hospitality services in education. Our goal is to provide engaging and nutritious dining solutions tailored to support academic achievement at the highest levels.

The Position

In this key leadership role, you will take hands on ownership of the kitchen, leading from the front and setting the standard across all areas of food production. Your focus will include:

• Leading, mentoring, and developing a diverse kitchen team
• Driving consistency, quality, and presentation across all services and events
• Oversee inventory, procurement, cost control and minimize food wastage
• Compliance with HACCP principles, hygiene and brand standards
• Supporting the high-quality delivery of the day to day and events
• Plan, supervise, and monitor the food production across residential, functions and retail catering for 1400+ students and staff
• Actively maintain a high standard of food safety, allergen awareness, and OHS
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality and presentation.

The Person

We are looking for financially minded leader who brings both culinary creativity and discipline:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume environment
• Bring positive energy to the team
• Excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Be financially proactive, including managing food cost, margins, and overall kitchen performance
• Strong understanding of food safety, compliance, and WHS requirements
• Genuine passion for developing and leading high-performing teams
• Calm, solutions-focused approach in a busy environment
• Minimum Cert. III Commercial Cookery + Food Safety Supervisor
• Experience in leading, mentoring and developing teams
• Solid understanding of allergen management, food safety and infection control
• Available to work Monday to Friday, with some weekend availability for events during the year

* A current Working with Children Check or ability to obtain is a requirement of this role

The Benefits

• On site parking
• Paid stand down during holiday periods
• Predominantly Monday to Friday roster
• Multiple salary packaging options to make your dollar go further
• Access to 100+ retail discounts
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for primary carers
• Access to a wide variety of training & development