Culinary Development Lead - Business & Education

Bring your culinary leadership to the table and help shape the future of premium food experiences across New Zealand.

Why join us?

• Lead culinary innovation at scale – influence menus, food trends and customer experiences across leading Compass brands.
• A strategic leadership role – work closely with Operations Directors, GMs and Head Chefs while shaping national culinary direction.
• Global backing, local impact – be supported by Compass Group’s global frameworks while celebrating New Zealand flavours and producers.

He angitūtanga / The opportunity

As the Culinary Development Lead – Business & Education Operations, you will drive culinary excellence across the Eurest and Chartwells brands. This role focuses on elevating customer experience through innovative menu development, strong commercial discipline and operational collaboration. You’ll lead culinary strategy, support site‑based culinary leaders and influence best‑practice delivery across Business & Education operations—while playing an active role in Compass Group NZ’s wider Culinary Council.

Ko o kawenga / Your responsibilities

• Lead culinary development across Business & Education operations, including cyclic menus, recipe cards, allergen management, SOPs, product specifications and training content.
• Drive menu innovation and development in line with the annual Culinary Calendar, balancing quality, creativity, and commercial outcomes.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain and Finance teams to ensure cost control, purchasing compliance and profitable menu execution.
• Coach and influence Head Chefs and culinary teams to deliver service excellence and consistent food standards across sites.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends, customer insights and competitor activity to continuously improve products, processes and experiences.

He kōrero mōu / About you

• A proven culinary leader with 5+ years’ experience in an Executive Chef or senior culinary position.
• Strong expertise in menu development, culinary innovation and operational delivery within a commercial environment.
• Commercially astute, with demonstrated ability to manage food and labour costs within budgetary frameworks.
• A confident communicator and collaborator who builds strong relationships across operational and support teams.
• Passionate about showcasing New Zealand produce, food stories and customer‑focused culinary experiences.

Ngā painga / Benefits & Perks

• Enjoy competitive remuneration, plus bonuses and comprehensive benefits, including a company vehicle.
• A key leadership role within a dynamic, growth‑focused sector.
• The opportunity to lead, influence and shape high‑performing culinary teams.
• Career development and progression within the global Compass Group framework.
• A supportive, collaborative culture with flexible working options and Employee Assistance Programmes.
• Exclusive discounts on medical insurance, banking services, hotels and more.

Please visit our Benefits page for a comprehensive list of our benefits.

Mō mātou / About us

• We are New Zealand's leading and largest food and support services provider across multiple industries.
• Our sub-brands, Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates, Medirest, ESS and Rapport manage these industry sectors.
• We specialise in turning ordinary acts of service into extraordinary experiential moments for our clients. With innovative and talented teams across New Zealand, we transform experiences from being GOOD to GREAT.
• Our people are awesome, they breathe life into our brands and make great things happen!
• Our strength comes from the combination of the things we have in common - our shared values, vision, and purpose and to make our commitment unique for you - RESPECT, GROWTH, and TEAMWORK are the founding pillars of these commitments.
• We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our customers, suppliers, and colleagues. We also prioritise sustainability in everything we do, ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

👉Successful candidates must pass pre-employment checks. 
👉Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Recruitment for this role will actively commence from the date of advertising.  The closing date is reliant on the appointment of the successful applicant.

Don’t miss this opportunity to influence the future of culinary excellence in New Zealand – click ‘Apply’ now!
For recruitment queries, contact the Compass Group Recruitment team at [email protected]

Creating meaningful and lasting connections with every experience.