Lead Chef (Head Chef) - Part Time

Ryman Healthcare; Pukekohe; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 60,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Fixed rosters

Beautiful village setting

Career progression

Job summary

Ryman Healthcare's Possum Bourne Retirement Village in Pukekohe is seeking a Lead Chef to lead a kitchen team and deliver nutritious, high quality meals for residents, ensuring cuisine that is both enjoyable and respectful of diverse cultural traditions.

This part-time role runs Friday and Saturday 08:00–17:00, with a focus on food safety, teamwork, and delivering a memorable dining experience within a supportive village environment.

Qualifications

• This role requires extensive Head Chef experience and leadership of a kitchen team.
• Qualifications include London City & Guilds or NZQA 75/1, 75/2, 75/3 or NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 4).

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to ensure nutritious, high quality, well prepared, well presented meals for residents
• Prepare specialty food for functions and fine dining
• Adhere to food Hygiene, preparation, storage and disposal practices
• Collaborate with colleagues and support your team

Skills

Lead a kitchen team

Head Chef experience

Food hygiene expertise

Education

London City & Guilds OR NZQA 75/1 75/2 75/3 OR NZ Certificate in Cookery Level 4

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity to join our supportive team at Possum BourneRetirement Village in Pukekohe as a Lead Chef. This is a PartTimeposition working Friday and Saturday 0800-1700.

In this role you will:

• Lead a team to ensure nutritious, high quality, well prepared, well presented and enjoyable food is provided to our residents
• Prepare specialty food for functions and fine dining
• Adhere to all practices relating to food hygiene, preparation, storage and disposal
• Work closely with, and support your team and colleagues

About You
To thrive in our supportive and caring environment you will have:

• Extensive experience as a Head Chef, leading a team and running a kitchen
• Hold the London City & Guilds or NZQA 75/1, 75/2, 75/3, or the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) as a minimum
• A reliable, friendly and professional manner

Be part of the Ryman Food Experience, going beyond traditional aged care dining to create a truly holistic approach to nutrition and well-being, through thoughtfully prepared meals that respect our residents and celebrate diverse cultural traditions. Be a part of a team that values the impact of food on health and happiness!

Join us at Ryman and be part of the Ryman Food Experience, where we go beyond traditional aged care dining to create a truly holistic approach to nutrition and well-being. fostering emotional connections through thoughtfully prepared meals that respect our residents and celebrate diverse cultural traditions. Be a part of a team that values the impact of food on health and happiness, and help us make every dining experience a meaningful and inclusive one for our residents.

About Ryman
At Ryman, we believe the measure of a full life is one that gets richer with age.

Ryman Healthcare is a leader in retirement living and aged care. Our driving purpose is to enhance freedom, connection and well-being for people as we grow older. We own and operate 49 villages in New Zealand and Australia and we employ approximately 7,700 team members across a range of different sectors.

At the heart of our business, everything we do must be 'Good enough for mum and dad.'

Benefits of working at a Ryman Village

• Fun, friendly and supportive team environment
• Certainty of hours through fixed rosters
• Work in a beautiful, resort style village
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• Ryman Team Benefits Card with discounts from a range of suppliers and retailers

At Ryman, we support an environment where everyone feels welcome to be themselves. We embrace diversity and celebrate individual uniqueness, encouraging anyone wanting to work for Ryman to apply for our vacant positions.

If you are interested in joining an organisation with a clear purpose and a commitment toinnovation,kindnessand excellence,we would love to hear from you!

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means a job ad may close before the advertised close date.