Head Chef

• Permanent Full Time | 38 hours/week
• Location: Orange, NSW 2800
• Salary: $98K + Super + NFP Salary Packaging

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable older Australians

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together, we’re building hope and possibility for all. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

Mission Australia supports vulnerable older Australians to age with dignity, safety and care. Our 60-bed residential aged care facility provides essential care and support to older people in our community, including those who may be at risk of homelessness.

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Chef to join our residential aged care team. In this rewarding role, you’ll create nutritious, high-quality meals that contribute to the health, wellbeing and everyday experience of our residents. You’ll oversee catering services, food safety and day-to-day kitchen operations, while providing guidance and support to a small team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated Chef who takes pride in their work and wants to use their skills to make a genuine difference in the lives of older Australians.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Plan, prepare and deliver nutritious meals in line with NSW Health, NSW Food Authority, accreditation standards and budget requirements
• Manage menu planning, food ordering, stock control and kitchen equipment inventory
• Monitor food costs, maintain accurate documentation and comply with food safety requirements
• Oversee the safe handling, storage and disposal of food, chemicals and equipment
• Actively contribute to CQI, WHS and HACCP meetings and initiatives
• Identify risks, report incidents and recommend opportunities for improvement
• Supervise, support and train kitchen staff to maintain high standards
• Foster open communication, teamwork and continuous learning
• Maintain the security and safety of the kitchen environment and promptly report concerns

Requirements for Success

• Formal qualification in Commercial Cookery or equivalent catering experience, with aged care or health sector experience highly regarded
• Strong knowledge of food safety programs, HACCP and WHS practices

• Understanding of Vulnerable Persons Food Safety requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to plan menus, manage budgets and prepare meals for people with varied dietary requirements
• Experience supervising and supporting a small team
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality service
• Yearly flu vaccination and COVID vaccination (recommended but not essential)

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, referee checks and work right checks.

Your benefits

• Rewarding work where you can make a real difference every day
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, helping reduce your taxable income through AccessPay
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Extra leave, including an additional public holiday, an additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave

Our culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and actively encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you are welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact [email protected].

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you.