Senior Chef - Toroa and Studholme Colleges

University-of-Otag; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 44,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Otago is seeking three Senior Chef positions for Toroa and Studholme College dining teams. These hands-on roles require supervising staff and delivering high-quality meals while maintaining a strong commitment to food safety and dietary needs.

Positions are permanent, full-time (40 hours/week), rostered across four 10-hour shifts with weekend work. Salary range starts at $31.84/hour and tops at $34.84/hour, with opportunities for relocation within Dunedin campuses.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Chef (City of London Guilds or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience in hospitality industry.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Experience operating a food safety program.
• Ability to deliver high-quality meals with dietary considerations.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality meals for college residents.
• Supervise kitchen staff and ensure consistent service.
• Lead in food safety practices and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with college teams to meet dietary needs.

Skills

Hospitality experience

Customer service

Team leadership

Communication

Food safety knowledge

Education

Chef qualification (City & Guilds or NZ equivalent)

Job description

Senior Chef - Toroa and Studholme Colleges - 2601572

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COLLEGE CATERING, UNIVERSITY UNION
CAMPUS AND COLLEGIATE LIFE SERVICES | TE URU KAHIKA

Campus and Collegiate Life Services Division is privileged to lead a group of world class services at Otago University, dedicated to promoting the unique Otago experience and collegiate nature of the institution. College Catering is a large food service operation producing over 8500 meals per day to eleven University Colleges.

The role | Te mahi

We are seeking to fill three Senior Chef positions to work in our busy Toroa & Studholme College food service teams.

These hands‑on positions will be responsible for the production of high‑quality meals and the supervision of staff. You will be an effective leader with the vision and work ethic to maintain and further develop an already high performing food service.

You will be a hospitality professional with a varied background in food service, strong communication and team building skills.

We are also looking for candidates with:

• Previous experience in the hospitality industry.
• Preferably a fully qualified Chef (City of London Guilds or equivalent).
• Very strong customer service focus.
• Outstanding communication skills.
• Experience operating a food safety program.
• Experienced delivering high quality, varied and nutritious meals, considering any special dietary needs.
• A high level of competency and the ability to work as part of a team is important.

The successful applicants would have the ability to help develop a mutual respect between primary customers and staff.

These are permanent, full‑time (40 hours per week) positions, located in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

These positions involve working 40 hours per week across four 10‑hour shifts. Hours will be rostered, and flexibility is required, including availability to work weekends.

Positions will commence in February 2027.

The appointment range is $31.84 – $33.34 per hour. Top of range is $34.84 per hour.

The University also offers catering staff summer maintenance work as a Trades Assistant to those staff seeking employment outside of the academic year (November to February).

If there is a need, these positions may be relocated to another Colleges on the Dunedin campus.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this position.

For further information, or to discuss the role in confidence, please contact Executive Chef, Charlie Mancey via the contact details below.

Applications may be reviewed as submitted and candidates may be asked to interview immediately. The University reserves the right to close this vacancy at any time.
Additional Information

Salary Level and Range Senior Chef (Range of Appointments $31.84 to $33.34 per hour, Top of Range $34.84)