SENIOR CHEF

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UniSaver superannuation contribution

Additional university holidays

Healthcare plan subsidies

Professional development opportunities

Staff discounts across NZ businesses

On-campus facilities access

Study fee concession for staff and fam

Job summary

Massey University, Commercial Services in Palmerston North, seeks a Senior Chef to lead diverse food operations across cafés, catering, conferences, weddings, and events. Based in Palmerston North, you will deliver exceptional food experiences and manage fast-paced service.

You will bring significant chef-level experience, strong culinary skills, and proven leadership of kitchen teams, with a focus on food safety, menu development, and cost control.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Chef or Senior Chef in commercial kitchens.
• Strong culinary skills with focus on quality and presentation.
• Experience leading kitchen teams and developing junior staff.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergens, stock control, and operations.
• Experience delivering catering and events with multiple priorities.
• Relevant cookery qualification or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present high-quality food across café, catering, conference, and event services.
• Support daily kitchen operations and maintain efficient workflows.
• Coordinate food production for conferences, functions, graduations, weddings, and events.
• Assist with menu development, stock management, food costing, and waste minimisation.
• Lead and mentor kitchen staff while fostering a positive team culture.
• Maintain compliance with food safety and health and safety requirements.

Skills

Senior chef experience

Culinary skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

Menu development

Stock control

Education

Cookery qualification

Job description

Senior Chef

Commercial Services | Palmerston North
Full-time, Ongoing Position
Salary: $80,000 per annum

Join Massey University's Commercial Services team and play a key role in delivering exceptional food experiences across café operations, catering services, conferences, weddings, and special events.

Based in Palmerston North, you'll work across a diverse range of hospitality environments, supporting Wharerata, University catering and events, and future satellite hospitality spaces. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced chef who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about delivering outstanding food and service.

Ko wai koe | About you

You will bring:

• Significant experience as a Chef or Senior Chef within a commercial kitchen, café, catering, hospitality, or high-volume food service environment.
• Strong culinary skills with a commitment to quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Experience leading kitchen teams and supporting the development of junior staff.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergen management, stock control, and kitchen operations.
• Experience delivering catering and event services while managing multiple priorities.
• A relevant cookery qualification or equivalent combination of training and substantial commercial chef experience.

Ngā kawenga | What you'll do

• Prepare and present high-quality food across café, catering, conference, and event services.
• Support daily kitchen operations and maintain efficient workflows.
• Coordinate food production for conferences, functions, graduations, weddings, and special events.
• Assist with menu development, stock management, food costing, and waste minimisation.
• Lead and mentor kitchen staff while fostering a positive team culture.
• Maintain compliance with food safety and health and safety requirements.

Why Massey?

At Massey University, we are committed to creating a positive working environment where our people can thrive.

Massey Staff Benefits

• Up to 6.75% employer contribution to the UniSaver Superannuation Scheme.
• Five additional university holidays each year.
• Subsidised Southern Cross Healthcare plan for you and your family.
• Comprehensive professional development and training opportunities.
• Staff purchasing privileges and discounts at many commercial and retail businesses across New Zealand.
• Access to on-campus facilities and services.
• Staff fee concession for study with Massey and 30% discount on fees for immediate family of staff undertaking undergraduate study (conditions apply)

In addition to the annual salary of $80,000, any overtime worked will be paid at the applicable hourly rate. Some overtime will be required due to the nature of our catering and events operation, including supporting Wharerata and future satellite hospitality venues.

If you're an experienced hospitality professional who enjoys leading from the front and delivering exceptional food experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your culinary expertise, leadership skills and passion for hospitality to Massey University and help shape the future of food services in Palmerston North.

Desired Skills and Experience

Senior Chef, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Commercial Kitchen, Hospitality Management, Catering Services, Event Catering, Food Production, Culinary Leadership, Kitchen Operations, Menu Development, Food Safety, HACCP, Team Leadership, Stock Control, Hospitality, Conferences, Functions, Weddings, Events, Wharerata, Massey University, Palmerston North, Full-Time, Chef Jobs, Catering Manager, Hospitality Careers.