Job Description

General information

Name
Kitchen Manager
Ref #
61539
Date
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Full / Part Time
Full Time

Description & Requirements

Every day, in every way, we bring real heart to work. At Bupa Tararu Care Home, located in Thames, we are searching for a Kitchen Manager to lead our kitchen team.

This is a Permanent Full time role, working an average of 34 hours per week.

Hours & Roster Details:

• Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
• Shift Time: 8:30am – 5pm
• Hours: Average 34 hours per week
• Total hours 68 hours over a 2-week rotating roster cycle
• Roster Pattern (working every other weekend):

Week 1: Monday – Wednesday (25.5 hours)
Week 2: Monday – Wednesday + Saturday – Sunday (42.5 hours)

This role will suit driven candidates who have experience and are passionate about delivering gourmet, nutritious food. We require someone with diverse skills as they will contribute to the provision of food services for both care home and village residents, and catering for occasional special events.

Where You Will Make an Impact

• Implementation of all menu programmes and planning other catering needs for our residents.
• Manage the Kitchen team, including staff orientation, training, performance management, employee appraisals.
• Hygiene and food safety, including implement policies, procedures, and systems that ensure legislative requirements for safe food management.
• Management of ordering and use of supplies.
• Catering for special events.

What About You

• A relevant NZQA culinary qualification (Level 3 & 4) or similar qualification is preferred and a minimum of 1-3 years of culinary experience is essential.
• Well versed planning and implementing nutritional menu programmes.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, coach, mentor and inspire the kitchen team.
• Be prepared to roll up your sleeve and get stuck into whatever needs to get done.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, care, and passion for making a difference in our residents’ lives.
• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in NZ.

Reasons to Belong

• Fully subsidised Southern Cross health insurance to our eligible permanent NZ employees and a discount on insurance cover for eligible family members.
• Wellbeing discounts and advice, EAP counselling services and cultural leave.
• Paid parental leave - in addition to standard parental leave, Bupa offers 12 weeks of paid leave for primary carers and 2 weeks for secondary carers.
• Refer-a-friend programme.
• Professional Development – in-house and external training and development.
• Industry-competitive remuneration and benefits, and internal reward and recognition programmes.
• No matter who you are or where you come from, we encourage you to ‘Be You at Bupa.’

For the opportunity to join the Bupa community and to make a difference to the lives of our residents, please submit your application today – we would love to hear from you.

About Bupa

Through vision, passion, and sheer hard work, we’re one of New Zealand’s largest aged care and dementia care providers. As one of New Zealand’s leading healthcare organisations, we employ more than 4,000 people: we’re brave, caring, and responsible. All united by one purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.

Our Values | Ā mātou ūara

Brave | Māiatanga Caring | Manaakitanga Responsible | Haepapa

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and therefore may result in the role closing early if the right applicant is found.

Location
Bupa Tararu
Recruiter
Roopa Krishnaswamy