Head Chef

Welcome to St John of God Health Care
St John of God Health Care (SJGHC) is one of the largest private providers of health care services in Australia, employing more than 16,000 employees (caregivers). We operate 26 hospitals and services comprising more than 3,300 hospital beds, including home nursing, disability services and social outreach programs.

About the new Midland Private Hospital

• A brand-new purpose-built state-of-the-art facility, currently under construction, located just 300 metres from the St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals Campus.

• A comprehensive range of medical and surgical services, with interventional cardiology being offered for the first time in the region

• The hospital will feature:

  • 96 overnight inpatient beds, including a six-bed critical care/high dependency unit.

  • 33-bed/chair short stay and day procedure unit

  • Eight operating theatres.

  • A cardiac/vascular catheter laboratory

Join St John of God Midland Private Hospital as our Head Chef and play a pivotal role in shaping a premium dining experience in our brand-new facility, opening this August.

In this leadership position, you will partner with the Manager Support Services to inspire and guide a dedicated catering team, delivering exceptional food quality and service aligned with SJGHC standards. You will drive workforce planning, lead change management initiatives, and establish innovative, efficient catering operations from the ground up.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and forward-thinking culinary professional to make a lasting impact, ensuring the delivery of first-class, patient-centred catering services in a dynamic and growing hospital environment.

The Position

• Develop and maintain a culture of service excellence and sustainable patient satisfaction and employee engagement.

• Adherence to SJGHC menu control standards, ensuring that all meals   are delivered and presented in accordance with the requirements of the     customer.

• Ensure all food safety compliance requirements are met.

• Support the Manager Support Services with effective recruitment, on-boarding and ongoing training as identified and required.

• Conduct performance reviews ensuring all Caregiver’s under management have an appropriate performance development plan.

• In collaboration with HR and the Manager Support Services manage disciplinary matters and grievances to maintain food service department relationships.

• Collaborate with all stakeholders seeking feedback on standard & presentation of meals, implement follow up actions as required.

• Liaise with the Manager Support Services to report on quality control procedures and activities.

• Display proactive leadership to the team including spending a significant portion of each day with Caregivers and active participation in meal preparation, across all sections covering diets, cold larder, pastries, general preparation, presentation and texture of meals.

• Daily planning and management for the operational areas of the Food Services Department, including preparation of rosters and maintain efficient and cost effective resources within budget.

• Ensure leave liability and productivity hours are maintained within agreed KPIs.  

To be successful in this role, you will hold a recognised trade qualification in commercial cookery (or equivalent) and bring strong leadership experience from a large-scale food service environment. You will demonstrate proven capability in kitchen management, including administration, financial oversight and compliance, alongside a solid understanding of dietary requirements, menu planning, food preparation (including room service) and presentation.

You will apply sound judgement and decision-making skills to ensure the safe, efficient operation of a commercial kitchen in a fast-paced setting. With highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, you will confidently lead teams, manage stakeholder relationships and resolve challenges effectively. Your ability to prepare clear reports, procedures and business correspondence will be complemented by a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Proficiency in everyday office technology and relevant software will further support your ability to deliver high-performing, innovative catering services.

Above all, people will be at the core of everything you do committing to and supporting our Mission and Value

We can offer you

• Salary: $97,222 - $99,892 per annum, plus 12% superannuation

• Permanent Full-Time position

• Salary packaging up to $18,550 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, rent, meal entertainment, holiday accommodation or other everyday living expenses as well as options to salary package benefits above the FBT cap on items such as:

  • Novated leasing 

  • work related expenses

  • self-education and

  • additional superannuation

• A healthy work-life balance through flexible work options, additional purchased leave and well-being programs

• Employee discount on St John of God Hospital & Medical Services and Private Health Insurance

• Employee support through our dedicated free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Access to a range of Lifestyle, Health & Wellbeing rewards and discounts

For enquiries, please contact Breffni Doyle, Manager Support Services on 0409 915 880.

If suitable applicants are identified advertisement may close prior to listed date and screening/interviews may commence throughout the advertising process.

At St John of God Health Care, we celebrate diversity and warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our commitment is to create a safe and nurturing environment for all children and vulnerable individuals in our care and proactively take steps to protect them from abuse, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Our inclusive culture fosters an environment that is respectful and secure, welcoming and accessible, and unified through our diverse community.