Chef Manager: Lead Kitchen, Menus & Events (Mon–Fri)

Summerset - Care; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Training & development

Great work‑life balance

Job summary

Summerset - Care is seeking a Chef Manager for Rototuna Village. You will oversee kitchen operations from residents’ meals to café offerings and events, leading a passionate culinary team to deliver high‑quality experiences while ensuring compliance and commercial performance.

You will manage menus, stock, and events, maintaining strong food safety standards and mentoring your team in a busy, customer‑facing environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified professional cookery qualification.
• Proven leadership experience in a high‑output kitchen.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high‑quality meals for residents and café services.
• Create appealing menus and cabinet foods for residents and visitors.
• Cater for special events, celebrations and fine dining experiences.
• Lead, coach and support the kitchen team, including rostering.
• Manage stock, ordering, food storage and kitchen equipment.
• Ensure full compliance with Food Control Plan and regulations.
• Monitor costs, minimise waste and support budget performance.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Mentoring others

Communication skills

Food safety knowledge

Education

Professional cookery qualification

Job description

Summerset - Care is seeking a Chef Manager for Rototuna Village. You will oversee kitchen operations from residents’ meals to café offerings and events, leading a passionate culinary team to deliver high‑quality experiences while ensuring compliance and commercial performance.

You will manage menus, stock, and events, maintaining strong food safety standards and mentoring your team in a busy, customer‑facing environment.