Food Services Team Leader - Chalmers Home

Presbyterian Support Central, Enliven and Family Works; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff wellbeing activities

Work-life balance

Team environment

Discounted healthcare

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Presbyterian Support Central (PSC) - Enliven and Family Works is seeking a Chef and Head Cook for Chalmers Home in New Plymouth. You will lead the kitchen team, prepare meals, and ensure dietary needs are met in a hygienic facility.

This fixed-term role runs 32 hours per week (Mon-Thu, 9:30am-6pm) with a focus on quality, compassion, and teamwork to support older people living in our aged care home. Join a not-for-profit organisation with a values-based culture, opportunities for upskilling,

Qualifications

• City and Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NZQA 75/1 and 75/2, or certificate in hospitality level 4.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar role, preferably in aged care.
• Knowledge and experience in practicing food safety regulations, ensuring that hygiene standards are upheld and the kitchen and its products are safe.
• Excellent leadership skills, gained in a hospitality environment.
• Experience cooking for a variety of dietary requirements including modified meals.
• Ability to work flexibly to accommodate special events and celebrations within the Home.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily meal preparation and cooking in the kitchen.
• Coordinate Weekend Cook and Kitchen Hands to ensure smooth service.
• Meet the dietary needs of Elders and maintain high hygiene standards.
• Provide kitchen leadership to the team and support smooth operation of the Home.
• Assist in catering for events and celebrations as required.

Skills

Leadership

Food Safety

Dietary requirements

Flexibility

Education

Hospitality certificate (City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or NZQA 75/1 & 75/2)

Job description

Full Time

Application Closes 05 Dec 2026

Taranaki - New Plymouth

Chef and Head Cook

Food Services Team Leader – Fixed Term

Mō Mātou - About Us

When you join Presbyterian Support Central (PSC), you’re becoming part of something truly special, a not-for-profit organisation that’s been helping people for more than 115 years. Everything we do is about supporting people at the most vulnerable times of their lives, whether that’s an older person needing care and connection, or a family working through tough times. PSC has two well-known service brands that lie at the heart of our mahi:

• Enliven: our positive ageing services that create age-friendly communities where older people have companionship, choice, fun, and purpose. Being part of our team means embracing a values-based approach and contributing to a not-for-profit service dedicated to supporting elders.

Chalmers Home has beautiful views overlooking the Tasman Sea to the west and Mount Taranaki to the east, Chalmers Home has arguably one of the best rest home outlooks in the country. Chalmers Home combines excellent clinical care with companionship and meaningful activity.

Together, we make a lasting difference.

Mō te tūranga - About the role

The Food Services Team Leader manages the smooth running of the kitchen at Chalmers Home, including the kitchen team. Mealtimes are an important part of our day, it's when our residents come together to connect and we aim to ensure they enjoy the food as much as the company at the table.

In Chalmers Home’s kitchen, you can expect busy and varied days with a supportive team to get the job done.

Whilst there is always a lot going on, we offer a great work life balance – this is a fixed term position for 4 months starting immediately working 32 hours a week, Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 6pm so no long or anti-social hours in this role!

You will be responsible for the daily preparation and cooking of meals in the kitchen; and coordinating the Weekend Cook and Kitchen Hands. Your tasty nutritious meals will meet the quality standards of the complex dietary needs of our Elders and you will work in a hygienic and well organised kitchen.

You will provide leadership to the kitchen team and contribute to the smooth running of the Home through responding to the catering needs of the day!

Mō koe - About You

You will be an energetic person who is passionate about the wellbeing of older people. Enthusiastic but calm and well organised, with great interpersonal skills, and ability to navigate the dynamic nutritional needs of our residents. You will share our values of empathy, compassion, and respect and enjoy getting know the people you prepare meals for and providing them with quality meal options.

In Addition, You Will Have

• City and Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NZQA 75/1 and 75/2, or certificate in hospitality level 4.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a similar role, preferably in aged care.
• Knowledge and experience in practicing food safety regulations, ensuring that hygiene standards are upheld and the kitchen and its products are safe.
• Excellent leadership skills, gained in a hospitality environment.
• Experience cooking for a variety of dietary requirements including modified meals.
• Ability to work flexibly to accommodate special events and celebrations within the Home.

Mō ō Tātau Painga - About Our Benefits

Enliven offers a compassionate environment where upskilling and training are highly valued. We support our staff in gaining nationally recognised qualifications through paid study days and workshops.

Also On Offer

• Regular staff wellbeing activities for our teams to participate in.
• A hospitality role without the anti-social hours - get a bit of work/life balance!
• Work as part of a wider team, collaborative Food Services team
• Supportive team who shares a common purpose and love what they do!
• Discounted healthcare cover and access to further discounts with NZ retailers
• A free and confidential employee assistance programme