Food Services Manager

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UniSaver pension

Five university holidays per year

Healthcare plan

Campus gym discounts

Staff discounts across NZ

On-campus crèche/day care

Professional development

Staff study fee concession

Job summary

Massey University is seeking an experienced Food Services Manager to lead the delivery of the university's food services strategy across its campuses in New Zealand. The role involves driving commercial outcomes, managing residential dining and coordinating with service providers and stakeholders to ensure high-quality, sustainable service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have senior leadership experience in multi-site food services, strong financial acumen and a proven track record in

Qualifications

• Proven experience translating strategy into action and leading complex transformation programmes across multi-site operations.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, including budgeting, forecasting and delivering sustainable outcomes.
• Senior leadership experience across multi-site food services, catering, residential dining, hospitality or similar environments.
• Experience in supplier and contract management, negotiating commercial agreements and managing vendor performance.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and ability to build trusted relationships across diverse internal and external groups.
• Experience developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Tertiary qualification in business or hospitality management is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and ongoing delivery of Massey's food services strategy across multiple campuses.
• Drive portfolio performance through effective commercial leadership, financial stewardship and strategic decision-making.
• Establish governance frameworks, service standards and operational oversight for consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, partners, Accommodation Services, student groups and senior University stakeholders.
• Champion innovation, sustainability initiatives and future-focused food service models that support student wellbeing and campus life.

Skills

Food Services Management

Commercial Leadership

Strategic Planning

Business Transformation

Hospitality Operations

Residential Dining Services

Multi-site Operations Management

Financial Management

Budgeting & Forecasting

Contract Negotiation

Supplier Relationship Management

Vendor Performance Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Change Management

Governance & Compliance

Service Delivery Excellence

Operational Leadership

Team Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Customer Experience

Sustainability Initiatives

Performance Management

Business Development

Strategic Partnerships

Project Management

Organisational Capability Building

Process Optimisation

Commercial Strategy

Cross-functional Collaboration

Higher Education Services Management

Education

Tertiary qualification in business or hospitality management

Job description

Commercial Services

Auckland, Wellington or Palmerston North Campus

Term: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Massey University is seeking an experienced and commercially astute leader to drive the future direction of our Food Services portfolio across New Zealand's university campuses. This is a unique opportunity to lead the implementation of a transformational food services strategy, oversee residential student dining services, and deliver sustainable commercial outcomes that enhance the student and staff experience.

As Food Services Manager, you will provide portfolio-wide leadership across food services and residential dining, working closely with internal stakeholders, service providers, and commercial partners to deliver innovative, financially sustainable, and customer-focused outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience translating strategy into action and leading complex transformation programmes, including the implementation of new operating models, service improvements, and organisational change initiatives.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, performance management, and delivering sustainable business outcomes.
• Senior leadership experience across multi-site food services, catering, residential dining, hospitality, or similarly complex service environments.
• Demonstrated success in supplier and contract management, including negotiating commercial agreements, managing vendor performance, and achieving value-for-money outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build trusted relationships across diverse internal and external groups.
• Experience developing high-performing teams, building organisational capability, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth.
• A tertiary qualification in business, hospitality management or a related discipline is desirable, along with senior leadership experience in food services, catering, residential dining or commercially focused service environments.

In this role you will:

• Lead the implementation and ongoing delivery of Massey's food services strategy across multiple campuses.
• Drive portfolio performance through effective commercial leadership, financial stewardship, and strategic decision-making.
• Establish governance frameworks, service standards, and operational oversight to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, partners, Accommodation Services, student groups, and senior University stakeholders.
• Champion innovation, sustainability initiatives, and future-focused food service models that support student wellbeing and enhance campus life.

Why Massey?

At Massey University, we are committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university and delivering world-class education, research and community impact. We offer a collaborative and supportive environment where you can make a significant contribution to shaping an essential service portfolio that supports the student experience across Aotearoa New Zealand.

In addition to a competitive salary, Massey also offers:

• Up to 6.75% employer contribution to the UniSaver Superannuation Scheme for eligible employees
• Five university holidays per year in addition to your annual leave
• Subsidised Southern Cross Healthcare plan for you and your family
• Special staff rates available for campus gym membership
• Staff purchasing privileges and discounts at many commercial and retail businesses across NZ
• Access to a wonderful on-campus crèche/day care facilities for dependents of staff on our Manawatū and Auckland campuses
• Comprehensive professional development and training programmes
• Staff fee concession for study with Massey and 30% discount on fees for immediate family of staff undertaking undergraduate study (conditions apply)

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and we may interview prior to the closing date of Tuesday 13 October 2026, 11.00pm.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Food Services Management
• Commercial Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Business Transformation
• Hospitality Operations
• Residential Dining Services
• Multi-site Operations Management
• Financial Management
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Contract Negotiation
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Vendor Performance Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Change Management
• Governance & Compliance
• Service Delivery Excellence
• Operational Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Continuous Improvement
• Customer Experience
• Sustainability Initiatives
• Performance Management
• Business Development
• Strategic Partnerships
• Project Management
• Organisational Capability Building
• Process Optimisation
• Commercial Strategy
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Higher Education Services Management