Head Chef - Never Get Bored With This Opportunity

Narooma; Victoria; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8/6 roster

Flights and accommodation provided

Salary packaging options

Six weeks paid parental leave

Sponsorship opportunities available

Star Awards recognition

Job summary

ESS is seeking a Regional Executive Chef to join our leadership team. Reporting to the General Manager of Operations, you will drive culinary excellence, mentor culinary talent across multiple sites, and elevate the dining experience for residents and guests.

You will champion the ESS food philosophy, lead menu development, ensure food safety and cost efficiency, and deliver innovative concepts that boost satisfaction and commercial performance.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in large-scale hospitality/catering environments.
• Experience leading multi-site culinary teams across diverse settings.
• Expertise in menu development and high-volume production.
• Experience implementing allergy management and food safety systems.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial acumen with budgeting and profitability focus.

Responsibilities

• Develop culinary strategies aligned with our hospitality transformation vision.
• Deliver contemporary food solutions that enhance resident experience and engagement across village environments.
• Support sustainability initiatives and social responsibility programs.
• Establish and maintain consistent food standards, operating concepts, and culinary programs.
• Review and enhance Compass Group food concepts to improve quality, cost, safety, and customer choice.
• Coach and mentor culinary leaders to achieve operational excellence.
• Identify high-potential team members and create pathways for career development.
• Build a culture of engagement across multiple sites and teams.
• Lead Executive Chefs, Head Chefs, and Catering personnel to drive performance.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, food safety, and security requirements.
• Manage culinary projects, menu development initiatives, and kitchen optimisation programs.
• Drive food quality, presentation standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety systems

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Coaching/mentoring

Change management

Project management

Workforce planning

Communication

Tools

Reporting software

Advanced computer literacy

Job description

ESS provides multi-service capability to major organisations operating in some of the world’s most remote locations. From mining villages across the Australian Outback to offshore energy facilities, we deliver essential hospitality and support services that keep remote workforces thriving.

We are seeking an exceptional Regional Executive Chef to join our leadership team. Reporting to the General Manager of Operations, you will be responsible for driving culinary excellence, innovation, and consistency across multiple sites. This is a unique opportunity to influence food strategy, mentor culinary talent, and elevate the dining experience for thousands of residents and guests.

As a passionate food leader, you will champion the ESS food philosophy, inspire teams to deliver outstanding results, and continuously explore new food trends and concepts that enhance customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and commercial performance.

The Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing innovative culinary strategies aligned with our hospitality transformation vision.
• Delivering contemporary food solutions that enhance resident experience and promote engagement across village environments.
• Supporting sustainability initiatives and social responsibility programs.
• Establishing and maintaining consistent food standards, operating concepts, and culinary programs.
• Reviewing and enhancing existing Compass Group food concepts to improve quality, cost efficiency, safety, and customer choice.
• Coaching and mentoring culinary leaders to achieve operational excellence and develop future talent.
• Identifying high-potential team members and creating pathways for career development.
• Building a culture of engagement, collaboration, and accountability across multiple sites.
• Leading and inspiring teams of Executive Chefs, Head Chefs, Chefs, and Catering personnel.
• Ensuring compliance with all health, safety, food safety, and security requirements.
• Managing culinary projects, menu development initiatives, and kitchen optimisation programs.
• Driving food quality, presentation standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

About You

To be successful, you will bring:

• Extensive leadership experience within large-scale hospitality, catering, resources, accommodation, or food service environments.
• A proven ability to lead high-performing culinary teams across multiple sites.
• Strong expertise in menu development, food innovation, and large-volume food production.
• Experience implementing allergy management and food safety systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and leadership capabilities.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to analyse financial performance, manage budgets, and improve profitability.
• Experience managing multiple venues, brands, or locations simultaneously.
• Well-developed project management and change management skills.
• The ability to influence outcomes and collaborate effectively with clients, operational leaders, and support functions.
• Strong workforce planning and labour productivity knowledge.
• Advanced computer literacy and reporting capability.

What’s on Offer

• Roxby Downs-based leadership role with an 8/6 roster
• Opportunity to influence culinary strategy across a significant portfolio
• Work with an industry leader in remote hospitality services
• Salary packaging options for flights and airport parking
• Sponsorship opportunities available
• Six weeks paid parental leave for primary carers
• Flights, accommodation, meals, uniforms, and medicals provided
• Recognition through Compass Group’s annual Star Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership

Why Join ESS?

At ESS, we believe great food creates exceptional experiences. This role offers the opportunity to shape culinary excellence across some of Australia’s most unique and challenging environments while developing the next generation of culinary talent.

If you are an innovative leader with a passion for food, people, and creating memorable dining experiences, we would love to hear from you.