At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy kitchen, delivering fresh, high-quality food and creating great experiences.
- Company: Join a proud Kiwi-owned co-operative with a supportive team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy health insurance, gym discounts, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with regular social events and free parking.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food experiences while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management, budgeting, and a passion for great food.
The predicted salary is between 30348 - 37092 £ per year.
About the role: As the culinary lead for our Hornby Warehouse Cafeteria, you'll lead a busy kitchen operation, delivering fresh, high-quality food while creating a great experience for our team. Reporting to the Catering & Cafeteria Manager, you'll be at the heart of a fast-paced kitchen, leading your team through the morning rush and making sure great food is ready when our warehouse team members walk through the door. With ownership of everything from menus and ordering through to stock control and kitchen performance, you'll have real influence over how the cafeteria operates and plenty of scope to put your own stamp on the food offering, keeping things fresh, varied, and running smoothly.
Key accountabilities:
- Lead daily food production and service, ensuring every meal is fresh, high-quality, and delivered on time.
- Coach and develop your team of two, creating a positive culture where people feel supported, motivated, and set up for success.
- Own rostering, ordering, stock control, and supplier relationships to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
- Drive commercial outcomes through effective cost management, waste reduction, and smart decision-making.
- Champion food safety, quality, and wellbeing standards, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for both customers and team members.
About you:
You might be an experienced head chef looking for a change or a sous chef looking for a step up. Either way, you're an experienced kitchen professional who takes pride in creating exceptional food experiences at scale. Ideally, you’ll also bring:
- Strong background in budgeting, inventory management, and resource planning.
- Sound understanding of allergens, nutrition, legislative requirements, and audit standards.
- Ability to interpret financial measures including food costs, labour spend, and waste reporting.
- Excellent communication skills with a collaborative approach.
- Genuine enthusiasm for great food and service.
- Commercially minded and highly organised, you're confident making decisions, building capability, and driving results.
Don't Meet Every Requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for individuals with diverse experiences and are keen to hear from those who believe they have the drive and potential to succeed in this role.
Why join us?
We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few. We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, access to online wellbeing tools, and a prayer and privacy room onsite. We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities. We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by regular social events! We’re a Pride Pledge organisation, and we are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives, every day and we celebrate our diversity as strength. Our Hornby site has free carparking and in-house café.
How to apply:
Ready to take on the challenge? Click “apply” to apply for the role! Applications will close 11:59pm Wednesday 2 September 2026 and will only be accepted via our careers site. If you have any questions about the role, or experience any issues submitting your application, please email careers@foodstuffs-si.co.nz
About us:
We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi-owned and operated, our co-operative has more than 200 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island. We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau. Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co-op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development.
Our values:
At Foodies, together we drive success to be our best and care for our whānau. We recognise that it takes a collective effort to achieve success, and we thrive on fostering a culture of collaboration to drive innovation and embracing challenges as a united team. We are committed to supporting our people, and to positively impact the lives of South Islanders every day.
Head Chef - Supply Chain Cafeteria in Christchurch employer: Foodstuffs
At Foodstuffs, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our Hornby location provides unique benefits such as free parking, an in-house café, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, including health insurance and access to online training resources. Join our vibrant team where collaboration and fun are at the heart of what we do, making every day rewarding as we serve our South Island communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Supply Chain Cafeteria in Christchurch
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Foodstuffs. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Foodstuffs
Don't be shy about reaching out to Foodstuffs directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Supply Chain Cafeteria in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Foodstuffs and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodstuffs
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
