Summerset Retirement Villages

Chef Manager

Summerset Retirement Villages  •  Waikanae, NZ (Onsite)  •  2 days ago
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Job Description

You can help bring our villages to life!

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.

When you’re part of the Summerset team, you belong to a place where your work has real impact, who you are is fully embraced and where your career flourishes.

Chef Manager Opportunity on the Menu

Our Chef Managers are responsible for the smooth running of kitchen operations, from resident meal service to vibrant café offerings and special events, while leading a passionate culinary team. This is a varied, hands-on leadership role where you’ll help create great food experiences for residents and visitors, while ensuring quality, compliance, and commercial performance.

Your day-to-day will include:

  • Preparing and cooking high-quality meals for residents, including those unable to visit the café
  • Creating appealing menus and cabinet food that drive interest and enjoyment
  • Catering for special events, celebrations, and fine dining experiences
  • Leading, coaching, and supporting your kitchen team, including rostering and day-to-day guidance
  • Managing stock, ordering, food storage, and kitchen equipment to keep operations running smoothly
  • Ensuring full compliance with our Food Control Plan
  • Monitoring costs, minimising waste, and supporting budget performance

This is a Full Time role, working Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm.

Please click here to view the full job description.

Qualifications

You’ll be a qualified and experienced Chef with a passion for food, people, and leading a high-performing team. You’ll thrive in a busy environment, bring strong commercial awareness, and take pride in delivering consistently high standards.

You’ll also bring:

  • A recognised professional cookery qualification
  • Proven leadership experience in a high-output kitchen or similar environment
  • Experience across set meal service, café offerings, and catering for events or functions
  • Strong knowledge of food safety, compliance, and the Food Act
  • Confidence managing stock, ordering, and day-to-day kitchen administration
  • Strong communication skills and a genuine passion for mentoring others

Additional Information

Why Summerset?

Summerset's known for its excellent benefits and strong sense of values around care, teamwork and drive for excellence. With some of the best benefits in the sector, some of these include:

  • Great work-life balance with set weekly hours Monday to Friday, (occasional weekend and nights will be required for events).

  • Southern Cross Health Essentials Insurance

  • Ongoing training & development, including opportunities to gain further culinary qualifications

  • A role where your food genuinely makes a difference every single day

Ready to Apply?

Next Steps: Applications for this role will close on 26/06/2026 This role may close early due to an increased number of applications - apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

Summerset Retirement Villages

About Summerset Retirement Villages

Summerset is one of New Zealand's leading retirement village operators, and more than 8,000 New Zealanders call Summerset home. Our vibrant villages focus on bringing the best of life to our residents, and we offer a continuum of care to provide peace of mind should the care needs of our residents’ change.

Our recent expansion into Australia includes two retirement villages in development and five more in the works in Victoria.

Across Australasia Summerset provides a range of living options and care services to more than 8,000 residents and employs more than 2,800 staff. Summerset has corporate offices located in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Melbourne.

We offer a range of careers, from development and design through to care, village and property management, and corporate functions such as finance and marketing.

Industry
Healthcare & Social Services
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Wellington, NZ
Year Founded
1997
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