Chef Manager

Summerset; Wellington; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Southern Cross Health Essentials Insur

Ongoing training & development

Great work-life balance with set hours

Job summary

Summerset is seeking a Chef Manager for our Whanganui village to lead kitchen operations, from resident meals to cafe offerings and events. You’ll guide a culinary team, ensure quality, compliance with Food Control Plan, and drive commercial performance.

The role is permanent full-time, with Monday–Friday hours 9:00am–5:30pm, and the opportunity to shape memorable dining experiences for residents and visitors while delivering consistent high standards and mentoring others.

Qualifications

• Qualified and experienced Chef with leadership in a high-output kitchen.
• Strong commercial awareness and pride in delivering high standards.
• Recognised professional cookery qualification.
• Proven leadership in a high-output kitchen or similar.
• Experience across set meal service, cafe offerings, and catering for events.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, compliance, and the Food Act.
• Confidence managing stock, ordering, and day-to-day kitchen administration.
• Strong communication skills and mentoring others.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality meals for residents.
• Create appealing menus and cabinet foods for residents and visitors.
• Catering for events and fine dining experiences.
• Lead, coach and schedule your kitchen team.
• Manage stock, ordering, storage and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with Food Control Plan.
• Monitor costs and minimize waste; support budget performance.
• Work Monday to Friday 9:00–5:30 with occasional weekends for events.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Stock management

Communication

Mentoring

Menu planning

Event catering

Education

Professional Cookery Qualification

Job 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.

About the role:

Chef Manager Opportunity on the Menu at our Whanganui village.

Our Chef Managers are responsible for the smooth running of kitchen operations, from resident meal service to vibrant cafe 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 cafe

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, minimizing waste, and supporting budget performance

This is a permanent full-time role and working Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm.

About you:

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, and also bring:

A recognised professional cookery qualification

Proven leadership experience in a high-output kitchen or similar environment

Experience across set meal service, cafe 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

What we offer:

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

This is your chance to take the lead in a exciting environment where your creativity, leadership, and love of food will be truly valued.Bring your passion. Shape something special with Summerset!