Chef Manager | Shalom Rest Home | Whangārei

Cater Plus; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cater Plus is seeking an experienced Chef Manager to lead the Whangārei kitchen, delivering nutritious meals to residents in an aged care setting. This hands-on leadership role requires directing daily meal production, maintaining high food quality, and ensuring safety and compliance.

You will oversee staffing, training, and daily operations while fostering a positive team culture and exceptional service for residents and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial kitchen, preferably in aged care, healthcare, hospitality, or catering.
• Leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and kitchen operations.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Hands-on approach with leadership by example.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a busy environment.
• Passion for delivering great food and outstanding service.
• Positive attitude and people leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the kitchen team to achieve high standards of food quality and service.
• Plan, prepare, and oversee daily meal production.
• Ensure dietary, allergen, texture-modified, and special meal requirements are met.
• Manage food safety, kitchen hygiene, and compliance requirements.
• Oversee ordering, stock control, and food costs.
• Build positive relationships with residents, staff, and stakeholders.
• Coach, train, and lead the team to maintain a positive culture.
• Collaborate with the team to ensure smooth daily kitchen operations.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Time management

People leadership

Hands-on leadership

Commercial kitchen experience

Prior experience in care/hospitality

Job description

40-hour per week

Lead a kitchen that makes a real difference every day.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead our kitchen team at Shalom Rest Home in Whangārei.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be responsible for delivering nutritious, high-quality meals to residents while leading and supporting a dedicated kitchen team. You'll have the opportunity to create positive dining experiences and contribute to the wellbeing of residents in a warm and supportive aged care environment.

About the Role

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you'll oversee the day-to-day operation of the kitchen and lead a team committed to providing excellent food and service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting the kitchen team to achieve high standards of food quality and service
• Planning, preparing, and overseeing daily meal production
• Ensuring dietary, allergen, texture-modified, and special meal requirements are met
• Managing food safety, kitchen hygiene, and compliance requirements
• Managing ordering, stock control, and food costs
• Building positive relationships with residents, staff, and stakeholders
• Maintaining a positive team culture through coaching, training, and leadership
• Working alongside your team to support smooth daily kitchen operations

About You

You must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand (NZ citizen, resident, or valid work visa). Please include your current visa status and expiry date (if applicable).

• Proven experience in a commercial kitchen, ideally in aged care, healthcare, hospitality, or catering
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of food safety and kitchen operations
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• A hands-on approach with a willingness to lead by example
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a busy environment
• A passion for delivering great food and outstanding service
• A positive attitude and strong people leadership skills

Who we are:

Cater Plus is one of New Zealand's leading catering companies with over 780 team members nationwide. We're known for great food, great service, and creating workplaces where people feel supported, valued, and proud of what they do.