Food Services Operations Manager/Head Chef

Bayside Health

Bayside Health is a public health service delivering high-quality care across every stage of life for close to 1.2 million people living in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Koo Wee Rup, Bass Coast and Southern Gippsland. We have more than 15 main sites, including hospitals, centres and clinics that provide comprehensive care from welcoming newborns to supporting older people and a full range of services in between. More than 22,000 dedicated staff are focused on providing exceptional, equitable, and locally connected care through shared expertise, compassion, and a commitment to continuous growth. Education and training are central to staff development as we encourage all employees to strive and thrive. Bayside Health was formed following the merger of Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health on 1 January 2026.

• Permanent Full Time (1.0 EFT)
• Managers and Administrative Worker Grade 3
• Located at The Alfred
• Great staff benefits!

The Department

Support Services provides non-clinical support services across Bayside Health, these services include cleaning services, car parking and fleet management, waste management, gardens and grounds, distribution, security and access control, ward support, linen services, ancillary services, food services and hospitality. 

The Role

The Food Services Operations Manager / Head Chef leads all food production and service operations at The Alfred Hospital. They manage a 50‑plus kitchen workforce, oversee menu delivery, food safety, quality assurance, financial performance and continuous improvement. The role works closely with Dietitians and clinical teams to ensure meals meet nutritional and therapeutic needs, while maintaining compliance with healthcare standards. They also contribute to strategic planning and drive improvements in service quality, patient satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Qualifications and Experience Required

Essential                 

• Understanding of hospital menu structures, therapeutic diets, and the nutritional requirements of patients within an acute healthcare setting.
• Experience working collaboratively with Dietitians and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support safe and appropriate patient nutrition care.
• Demonstrated experience in a Head Chef or senior culinary leadership role within food services, preferably in a healthcare, aged care, or similar environment.
• Extensive knowledge and practical expertise in food preparation, cooking techniques, and end-to-end commercial kitchen operations, including recipe development, menu planning and production management.
• Recognised trade qualification as a Chef (e.g. Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent). Formal qualification in Hospitality or a related field.
• Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene standards, therapeutic and modified diets (where applicable), and compliance requirements within a healthcare or commercial kitchen environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of, or ability to quickly learn and effectively use, electronic menu management systems (EMMS) and associated recipe and menu adjustment processes.
• Sound knowledge of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework and its application in healthcare food service.

Desirable

• Formal qualification in Management, Leadership, Hospitality Management, or a related discipline, with demonstrated experience applying leadership and management principles in a complex operational environment.

Staff Benefits

• Generous salary packaging and novated leasing are available through Maxxia
• Onsite child care services, a payroll deductible expense
• Onsite staff gym, a payroll deductible expense
• Modern onsite library facilities, exclusive to Alfred Health staff
• Access to health and wellbeing incentives

For enquiries regarding this position, please contact Novel Ravendran, Food Services Manager - [email protected]
Applications close 11pm AEST, Friday 17th July 2026

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people of all genders, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application materials, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

In accordance with the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020, health care workers in Category A or B roles (as determined by the department’s risk ratings) are required to be vaccinated against influenza or hold an acceptable medical exemption.