-Annual Salary: $63,351 - $67,592 + super

-Appointment Type: Full-time, continuing role

-Location: Based at Wallumattagal campus, North Ryde

Why Join Us?

• Close to public transport
• Regular working hours allowing for a balanced personal life
• Excellent conditions including an organisation that values diversity and fosters a respectful, inclusive environment for both staff and children
• Monthly additional Rostered Day Off (RDO)

About You - What We are Looking For?
We're looking for a passionate Centre Cook who loves creating nutritious, delicious meals for children while fostering positive food experiences. This is a full-time continuing role for Banksia Cottage, an 80-place early learning centre as well as casual cooks to support our four early learning centres.

• You enjoy cooking and show creativity in meal planning and preparation.
• You collaborate well with educators to provide hands-on activities that foster creativity and healthy eating habits.
• You are supportive of cooking experiences with the children.
• You are organised and efficient, ensuring smooth meal prep and kitchen operations.
• You take pride in maintaining high food safety and hygiene standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and prepare nutritious, flavoursome, seasonal menus and deliver these meals on time,
• Cater to specific dietary needs of children with food allergies, intolerances, and religious or lifestyle requirements,
• Maintain a safe, clean, and hygienic kitchen environment by competing all daily and periodical cleaning tasks, undertaking food safety checks, following food handling and infection control policies and procedures, and maintaining a high standard of personal presentation and hygiene,
• Place food orders using the designated ordering system and follow relevant procedures and processes,
• Manage stock levels and stock rotation, and implement appropriate food storage practices and track and minimise food wastage,
• In consultation with the Centre Manager, support centre events (family evenings, morning/ afternoon teas, celebrations)
• In collaboration with centre staff, assist in implementation of food and nutrition related learning activities with children
• Build and maintain strong, positive, and ethical relationships with children, families and staff and contribute to a professional and positive work culture.

About Us
At Macquarie University's Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), Campus Life operates four purpose-built early learning centres. We provide high-quality education for children aged six weeks and up through a play-based educational approach focused on:

• Encouraging a love for learning - curiosity, creativity & innovation
• Building strong connections - with others, oneself & the environment
• Supporting children's growth - wellbeing, learning, and development
• Celebrating childhood - valuing every stage of learning

As part of Macquarie University, we have access to state-of-the-art facilities to support and enhance our programs and collaborate regularly with the University's community, including the School of Education.

Why Work with Us?
We are committed to our people; we embrace diversity and welcome our people just as they are and prioritise professional development. At Campus Life you will benefit from being part of a dynamic and committed team. The successful candidate will share our organisational values of Courage, Agility, Rigour, Empowerment, and Support (CARES) and commit to these being visible in their actions and words.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive salary + salary packaging options
• Educational and Professional development opportunities
• Paid lunch breaks (no need to stay on premises)
• Paid staff meetings & generous release time for the team
• Free access to Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Additional paid concessional days
• Access to our wellbeing program, staff support services, & employee flu & shot program
• Discounted corporate health insurance
• 25% discount at Campus Life outlets

Ready to Join Us?
If you are passionate about creating nutritious meals and being part of an inclusive, engaging, team-oriented environment, we would love to hear from you!

To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter that tells us how you meet the key requirements of the role.

To be successful, you will need:

• Demonstrated experience cooking for large numbers (80+ people) and/or for groups of young children
• Knowledge of food safety and catering to children with specific dietary needs
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to establish, build and maintain relationships with colleagues and customers
• Ability to work independently
• Medium level computer literacy

Required Certifications to be Provided:

• Safe Food Handling & Hygiene Certificate
• Certificate of Commercial Cookery (or equivalent)
• First Aid Certificate
• Working with Children Check
• Nutrition & Menu Planning Certificate (preferred but not essential)

Application Tip: Please ensure you include your Working with Children Check clearance number in your resume.

Note: You must have the right to work in Australia to be considered for this position.

For role enquiries, a copy of the Position Description, or a copy of U@MQ employee benefits, please contact Marina Galstyan (Center Manager) - Ph: 61 29850 7781 or [email protected]

General Recruitment Enquiries: Please contact Mirna Alaaiddin, Talent Acquisition Officer, at [email protected]

Applications Close: Tuesday, 4 March 2025 at 11:59 pm (AEDT)

*** Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation and ingenuity thrive at Macquarie University when diversity, equity and inclusion take centre stage. At the University, we embrace a culture where diversity of background, experience and perspective are fundamental to our success.

We do not discriminate on gender identity, age, culture, disability, sexuality, Indigeneity, family and caring responsibilities or religion. See our journey towards leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education.

Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, explore our Candidate Resource Hub.