Cafe Duty Manager (Part-time)

Part-time role leading all kitchen operations at the Christchurch Adventure Park café, combining hands-on food production with team management, menu development, and operational oversight in a high-volume, fast-paced hospitality environment.

About the role

You will ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality food, strong food safety and health and safety compliance, and effective kitchen leadership. The role plays a key part in establishing and maintaining Christchurch Adventure Park’s reputation as a destination café and in supporting exceptional visitor experiences through quality, consistency, and professionalism.

The Head Chef is expected to uphold and model the park’s values: delivering high-quality, memorable visitor experiences, working collaboratively across diverse roles, operating safely and professionally, and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. The role has a strong customer service focus and full profit-and-loss responsibility for the café.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality food service.
• Establish and maintain a strong reputation for excellent food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Lead, roster, train, and develop a committed and professional kitchen team.
• Work at a consistently high pace in a high-turnover kitchen environment while maintaining high standards.
• Develop menus in collaboration with the Café Manager, contributing to the positioning of Christchurch Adventure Park as a destination café.
• Plan, implement, and review menu changes, including pricing, portion control, and cabinet presentation.
• Maintain a strong focus on food safety and health and safety, ensuring all records are completed accurately and kept up to date.
• Ensure correct food handling, dating, rotation, and storage to maintain freshness and minimise waste.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment at all times.
• Order supplies, manage stock levels, undertake stocktakes, and support pricing negotiations as required.
• Monitor portion control, manage wastage, and contribute to cost control initiatives.
• Train and induct new kitchen staff and support ongoing capability development.
• Contribute new ideas, menu concepts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside the Café Manager to support functions, group bookings, and peak service demands.
• Maintain a professional and respectful approach with customers and colleagues at all times.
• Participate in all aspects of kitchen work as required, from preparation through to service and clean-down.
• Undertake other duties reasonably required to support café and visitor operations.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Chef or Head Chef in a commercial kitchen environment, with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading, managing, and developing kitchen teams.
• Strong ability to deliver consistent, high-quality food in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
• Flair for casual plating, cabinet presentation, and menu execution.
• Demonstrated experience in menu planning, pricing, and cost control.
• Sound knowledge of food safety legislation, health and safety requirements, and compliance systems.
• Ability to perform well under pressure, multitask effectively, and meet service deadlines.
• Strong organisational skills, time management, and punctuality.
• High standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and personal presentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider café leadership team.
• Positive attitude and professional approach, with a good sense of humour.
• Passion for delivering high-quality food and positive visitor experiences.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.
• Clear written and spoken English communication skills.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand for the duration of employment.

Benefits

Competitive rates and great perks when you become part of the Christchurch Adventure Park team.