Chef Manager

Summerset - Care; Taupo; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great work-life balance

Southern Cross Health Insurance

Ongoing training & development

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Summerset is seeking a Chef Manager to lead kitchen operations across resident meals, café offerings and events. You will manage a culinary team, ensure quality, compliance with the Food Act and drive commercial performance.

You'll bring a recognised professional cookery qualification and proven leadership in a high-output kitchen, with strong stock control, menu development, and mentoring skills to create outstanding food experiences for residents and visitors.

Qualifications

• You’ll hold a recognised professional cookery qualification.
• Proven leadership in a high-output kitchen.
• Experience across set meals, café, and events/catering.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and the Food Act.
• Confident with stock, ordering and kitchen admin.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality meals for residents and café visitors.
• Create appealing menus and cabinet food to drive interest.
• Cater for events, celebrations and fine dining experiences.
• Lead, coach and support the kitchen team, including rostering.
• Manage stock, ordering, storage and kitchen equipment.
• Ensure compliance with the Food Control Plan.
• Monitor costs and minimise waste to support budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Stock management

Menu development

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Professional cookery qualification

Job description

Company Description

You can help bring our villages to life!

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.

When you’re part of the Summerset team, you belong to a place where your work has real impact, who you are is fully embraced and where your career flourishes.

Job Description

Chef Manager Opportunity on the Menu!

Our Chef Managers are responsible for the smooth running of kitchen operations, from resident meal service to vibrant café offerings and special events, while leading a passionate culinary team. This is a varied, hands‑on leadership role where you’ll help create great food experiences for residents and visitors, while ensuring quality, compliance, and commercial performance.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Preparing and cooking high-quality meals for residents, including those unable to visit the café
• Creating appealing menus and cabinet food that drive interest and enjoyment
• Catering for special events, celebrations, and fine dining experiences
• Leading, coaching, and supporting your kitchen team, including rostering and day‑to‑day guidance
• Managing stock, ordering, food storage, and kitchen equipment to keep operations running smoothly
• Ensuring full compliance with our Food Control Plan
• Monitoring costs, minimising waste, and supporting budget performance

This is a full time role working Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm.

Qualifications

You’ll be a qualified and experienced Chef with a passion for food, people, and leading a high-performing team. You’ll thrive in a busy environment, bring strong commercial awareness, and take pride in delivering consistently high standards.

You’ll also bring:

• A recognised professional cookery qualification
• Proven leadership experience in a high-output kitchen or similar environment
• Experience across set meal service, café offerings, and catering for events or functions
• Strong knowledge of food safety, compliance, and the Food Act
• Confidence managing stock, ordering, and day‑to‑day kitchen administration
• Strong communication skills and a genuine passion for mentoring others

Additional Information

Why Summerset?

Summerset's known for its excellent benefits and strong sense of values around care, teamwork and drive for excellence. With some of the best benefits in the sector, some of these include:

• Great work‑life balance with set weekly hours Monday to Friday,(occasional weekend and nights will be required for events).
• Southern Cross Health Essentials Insurance
• Ongoing training & development, including opportunities to gain further culinary qualifications
• A role where your food genuinely makes a difference every single day

Ready to Apply?

Applications close on Friday 11th September.

This is your chance to take the lead in a fresh, exciting environment where your creativity, leadership, and love of food will be truly valued.

Bring your passion. Build your team. Shape something special with Summerset.