Head Chef / Administration

Head Chef / Administration
Food Services Department
Permanent Part Time, up to 72 hours per fortnight
Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers Agreement – Grade 3 Level 1 (HS3) - $39.18342 per hour
(Junior rates apply to employees aged under 19 years)

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced and motivated Head Chef to join our Food Services team in a permanent part-time role. Reporting to the Food Services Coordinator, this position combines hands-on leadership of a busy healthcare food production operation with a range of key administrative and systems responsibilities.

As the Head Chef, you will lead the food production team in delivering high quality, safe and nutritious meals to patients, aged care residents, staff, visitors and function customers. You will also play a significant role in menu management, staff coordination, compliance monitoring and the administration of key food service systems.

This role is ideal for an experienced chef with strong leadership, organisational and computer skills who enjoys balancing operational kitchen leadership with administration and continuous improvement activities. We offer a supportive team environment, comprehensive orientation, salary packaging and free on-site parking.

Our preferred candidate will have:

• Trade Cooking Certificate.
• Current Safe Food Handlers Certificate (HLTFSE001 or equivalent).
• Previous experience in a leadership or supervisory role, preferably within healthcare, aged care or hospitality.
• Demonstrated experience in high-volume food production.
• Experience using food service management systems and general computer applications.
• Excellent communication, organisation and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop staff.
• Sound knowledge of food safety legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating food production schedules, ordering and stock control.
• Commitment to safe work practices and continuous improvement.

The following experience/qualifications would be considered advantageous:

• Previous experience with Cook Chill food production systems.
• Food Safety Supervisor qualifications (HLTFSE005 and HLTFS007 or equivalent).
• Certificate or Diploma in Management or a related discipline.
• Experience with Chefmax Menu Management and/or Kronos Time & Attendance systems.
• Previous experience within a healthcare or residential aged care environment.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards relevant to health and aged care food services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and coordinating the food production team.
• Planning, preparing and overseeing meal production for patients, residents, cafeteria customers and functions.
• Menu planning in consultation with Dietitians, Speech Pathologists and the Food Services Coordinator.
• Managing food production schedules and ordering perishable food supplies.
• Assisting with the administration and ongoing maintenance of the Chefmax Menu Management System, including menus, ingredients, recipes and production data.
• Assisting with production rosters, leave management and Kronos Time & Attendance administration.
• Monitoring food costs and supporting efficient resource utilisation.
• Supporting food safety compliance, audit activities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Training, mentoring and developing kitchen staff.
• Providing relief support for the Food Services Coordinator during periods of leave.

IMPORTANT: Some roles in the healthcare sector are required to be vaccinated annually for Influenza (unless a valid exemption applies). Evidence of vaccination (or exemption) will be required to be provided prior to commencement.

About our organisation

The West Gippsland Healthcare Group is a customer focused health organisation providing acute medical and surgical, obstetric, emergency, residential care and community health services to 45,000 people in the rural, urban residential, agricultural and industrial areas located within the Baw Baw Shire and beyond. The administrative headquarters are located at West Gippsland Hospital in Warragul, approximately 100kms east of Melbourne.

West Gippsland Healthcare Group staff benefits include:

• Professional development opportunities
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Salary packaging
• Free parking
• Supportive and collaborative team environment

Working with us

All appointments with the West Gippsland Healthcare Group are subject to the satisfactory return of professional reference checks, a National Police Record Clearance and a current Employee Working with Children Check. All employees must hold current entitlement to work within Australia. A six-month probationary period applies to all new appointments.

Further details and how to apply

Further information is contained in the Position Description. Applications are to be submitted by selecting 'Apply Now' and should include a current CV and cover letter. Responses to the selection criteria are recommended. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide at least two professional referees. Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  For further information, please contact Kylie Debono, Food Services Coordinator, on (03) 5623 0800 or Kylie.Debono@wghg.com.au.

Applications close: 18 November 2026* (applications may close earlier)

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This position will remain open for a minimum of fourteen (14) days from the date of advertisement and may close earlier than the listed closing date if a suitable candidate/s are identified.

As an inclusive employer, committed to improving diversity and equity in our workforce, we encourage applications from all parts of our community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTI people, and people with lived experience of disability.

As a Child Safe organisation, West Gippsland Healthcare Group promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children, including those with disability.