Senior Chef

JobSpace; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobb & Co Papanui is seeking a Senior Chef to assist the Kitchen Manager / Head Chef in day-to-day kitchen operations, preparing and serving quality food and supervising shifts as required.

The role includes front-line setup, dish preparation, shift supervision of Junior Chefs, Dessert Chefs and Kitchenhands, stock control, inventory management, and maintaining hygiene and compliance with regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• NZ Certificate in Cookery Level 4 is required or 3 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and close down Front-Line for lunch and evening shifts; prepare dishes following recipe standards, portion control, and cooking guidelines.
• Oversee Front-Line operations and supervise Junior Chefs, Dessert Chefs, and Kitchenhands in the Head Chef or Sous Chef's absence.
• Record stock needs, place orders through online systems, verify delivery dockets, ensure correct storage, and participate in weekly/monthly stocktakes.
• Ensure full operational compliance with Food Act 2014, Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and internal policies; assist with end-of-shift cleanups; report maintenance issues and log incidents.

Skills

Team leadership

Strong communication

Organisational ability

Work under pressure

Flexibility

Education

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.

Cobb & Co Papanui is looking for a Senior Chef to assist the Kitchen Manager / Head Chef in the day-to-day operation of the kitchen to prepare and serve quality food in a timely manner while supervising shifts as required.

Food Preparation & Service: Set up, operate, and close down the Front-Line for lunch and evening shifts; prepare dishes following recipe standards, portion control, and cooking guidelines; inspect outgoing food for quality, temperature, and presentation.

Shift Supervision: Oversee Front-Line operations and supervise Junior Chefs, Dessert Chefs, and Kitchenhands in the Head Chef or Sous Chef's absence.

Stock Control & Inventory: Record stock needs, place orders through online systems, verify delivery dockets against received stock, ensure correct storage conditions, and participate in weekly and monthly stocktakes.

Hygiene & Compliance: Ensure full operational compliance with the Food Act 2014, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and internal policies; assist with end-of-shift cleanups; report maintenance issues and log incidents on Jolt.

Requirements:

NZ Certificate in Cookery Level 4 or 3 years of experience.

Strong communication skills, team leadership, high organisational ability, flexibility, and the capacity to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.