Add expected salary to your profile for insights Arvida is on a mission to create communities with the freedom to thrive. We implement our Living Well Framework and we're looking for a Kitchen Manager/Chef to help us on our journey to success. The Kitchen Manager contributes to the wellbeing of our residents by ensuring the smooth and efficient management of the kitchen and by providing high quality, safe and appetising meals that meet our residents' individual nutritional needs. You'll lead a dedicated team of chefs, cooks and kitchen hands who integrate into the wider team of housekeeping, laundry, maintenance and healthcare professionals. We live our values of Being There, Look for a Way and In it together every single day. The role involves a mix of shifts working in the kitchen as the primary chef and paper days to keep up with the key accountabilities. It is expected that you will regularly work one weekend day. We're looking for someone who can cover a leave of absence for 12 months. Lead the everyday running of kitchen activities, including rostering, training, direction and guidance to the kitchen staff. This includes performance management, appraisals and coordination with the other heads of departments. Use the Arvida base menus (Summer and Winter) to plan nutritious and tasty menus that allow for variety and choice by consulting with our key stakeholders (residents, families, Arvida dieticians and management). Work closely with the Clinical Manager and RNs to understand and provide specialist dietary requirements such as gluten free, vegetarian and texture-modified diets. Integrate with the Wellness and Care team by encouraging resident participation by leading the Eating Well pillar of our Attitude of Living Well, creating opportunities for residents who still want to be involved in meal prep or veggie growing to thrive. Managing the kitchen budget by ordering through approved suppliers. Managing stock levels and preparing for special events like birthdays, disco nights, BBQ picnics and more. Ensure the Food Control Plan is thoroughly implemented and adhered to through daily, weekly and monthly use of Safe Food Pro and participation in regular Quality and Health and Safety Meetings. Be able to investigate and implement Health and Safety initiatives that contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. To tatou kaitono pai | Our ideal candidate must have: New Zealand Certificate in Advanced Professional Cookery (Level 4), New Zealand Diploma in Culinary Arts or Cookery (Level 5) or equivalent. Proven experience as a Chef (minimum 3 years) and/or Head Chef (minimum 1 year) or Kitchen Manager, preferably with Aged Care or similar relevant industry experience. Current NZ Food Safety Certificate. Good communication skills and an understanding shared leadership and just culture would be advantageous. Must be able to work on weekends, school holidays, public holidays and Christmas/New Year period. A reliable, honest, friendly and professional manner. Organizational, time management and problem-solving ability. Proficiency with web-based FCP systems and Microsoft 365. Empathy towards elderly adults, good interpersonal and customer service skills. Must have the legal right to work in NZ. Health and Safety Representative Training is advantageous. Please submit a cover letter and your CV (Tukuna mai he reta uhi me to CV). If you are looking for a role with a real sense of purpose and the opportunity to genuinely make a difference, this is a role for you! Please apply NOW. Your application will include the following questions: How many years' experience do you have as a Kitchen Manager? Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand? Do you hold a current Food Safety certificate? Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of OH&S/WHS? How many years' experience do you have as a chef? Do you have customer service experience? Do you have experience preparing work rosters? Our purpose is to help New Zealanders live a truly fulfilling life as they age. With 35 retirement communities across the country, we make it easy for New Zealanders to live life by their own rules. We ensure our residents are free to be themselves, and have meaningful connections to the people, community, and activities they love. For our people who work at Arvida, this means putting people first and finding better ways to do things. The Arvida team put their heart and soul into the wellbeing of our residents - we call this commitment the 'Attitude of Living Well'. We bring this to life through the five pillars of living well – eating, moving, resting, thinking and engaging well. #J-18808-Ljbffr