Head Chef | FIFO | 2:2 | Queensland

Sodexo; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent role

Competitive annual wage

Accommodation and meals covered on‑sit

Village facilities access

Induction and onboarding program

Employee benefits and recognition

Job summary

Sodexo is hiring a Head Chef for a FIFO role from Cairns, Queensland. This full-time position involves leading bulk cooking operations on remote sites, ensuring HACCP-compliant food quality, and managing budgets while maintaining strong client relationships.

You will work a 14 days on, 14 days off roster with accommodation and meals provided on-site, and join a supportive team within a global food and facilities management company.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead bulk cooking operations on remote sites with high quality and safety standards.
• Manage operations profitability, budgets and food quality standards (HACCP compliance).
• Foster team growth in a dynamic, diverse environment while maintaining client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Team management

Customer focus

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Tools

HACCP

Job description

Job Description

• FIFO (Fly-in Fly-out) from Cairns, Queensland
• 11 hours 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.

• 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 as Head Chefs. This is your chance to work with a global food and facilities management company while enjoying the benefits of a 14 days on, 14 days off roster FIFO 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 role with stability and career growth opportunities
• A highly competitive annual wage with consistent hours, paid leave, and superannuation
• Full accommodation and meals covered while 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 program to set you up for success
• Exclusive employee benefits, discounts, and a recognition program
• A welcoming team culture and 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.

Additional Information

Sodexo is a contract services company and employment is conditional to Sodexo’s ability to maintain the client contract and its service levels. All employees are subject to a police check and a Working with Children check (where applicable)