Head Chef | FIFO | 2:1 | Cairns, Queensland

Sodexo; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to village facilities and gym

Professional development and training

Accommodation and meals on-site

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Head Chef for FIFO operations from Cairns, Queensland. You will lead bulk cooking on remote sites, ensuring top quality and strict safety standards while driving profitability and maintaining strong client relationships.

This role demands HACCP expertise, a passion for culinary excellence, and proven leadership in mass-catering environments. The 14 days on, 14 days off roster supports work‑life balance and ongoing onsite accommodation and meals are provided where applicable.

Qualifications

• Australian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or full Australian working rights.
• Trade Certificate or Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
• Proven experience leading a team in mass-catering environments.
• HACCP expertise with strong leadership and organisational skills.
• A passion for delivering high-quality culinary experiences.

Responsibilities

• Leading bulk cooking operations on remote sites with top-tier quality and safety standards.
• Managing operations profitability, budgets, and food quality standards (HACCP compliance).
• Fostering team growth in a dynamic, diverse environment while maintaining client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

HACCP

Mass catering

Food safety

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Head Chef | FIFO | 2:1 | Cairns, Queensland

FIFO (Fly-inFly-out) from Cairns, Queensland

11hours per shift on 2:2 Roster

Full-time

Why Join Sodexo?

Sodexo is a people business, employing over 400,000people worldwide and thousands in Australia. Our team play a key role in keeping our sites functioning and well‑maintained for village residents' safety, comfort, and well‑being. Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact. Here’s what’s on offer:

• Access to fantastic Village facilities and lifestyle options including gyms, fitness classes, pools, tennis courts, and social activities (dependent on Village)
• We offer a competitive salary,many training, upskilling and development opportunities and an outstandingbenefits and recognition program!
• Great teamwork and a solid group of people around you!

What’s the role?

Are you passionate about food and are looking for a job opportunity with a lifestyle roster that gives you work-life balance? At Sodexo, we’re expanding our team and seeking service-driven individuals to join us asHead Chefs. This is your chance to work with a global food and facilities management company while enjoying the benefits of a14 days on, 14 days off rosterFIFO from Cairns.

What you’ll do:

Your role goes beyond the kitchen—you're a vital part of resident wellbeing. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading bulk cooking operations on remote sites with top-tier quality and safety standards.
• Managing operations profitability, budgets, and food quality standards (HACCP compliance).
• Fostering team growth in a dynamic, diverse environment while maintaining client relationships.

Qualifications and Experience

If you’re an enthusiastic, customer-focused professional with a flair for cooking, we’d love to hear from you. To qualify, you'll need:

• Australian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or full Australian working rights.
• Trade Certificate or Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
• Proven experience leading a team in mass-catering environments, including preparing meals for breakfast, dinner, crib, and pastries.
• HACCP expertise combined with strong leadership and organisational skills.
• A passion for driving high-quality culinary experiences.

What we offer:

At Sodexo, we care about our people. When you join us, you’ll enjoy:

• A permanent rolewith stability and career growth opportunities
• A highly competitive annual wagewith consistent hours, paid leave, and superannuation
• Full accommodation and meals coveredwhile on-site so you can save while you work!
• Access to excellent village facilities, including gyms and social activities (availability varies by site)
• A structured onboarding and induction programto set you up for success
• Exclusive employee benefits, discounts, and a recognition program
• A welcoming team cultureand supportive workplace

Working on the mines can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not for everyone—our FIFO roles require flexibility, reliability, and a willingness to work across a variety of roles and duties throughout the Northern Territory. Candidates must be local to where the job is being advertised or willing to relocate at their own expense and should be prepared for 11-hour workdays on a 2:2 roster (two weeks on‑site, one week at home). Before applying, please consider what’s expected and whether this lifestyle suits you.