$103,821 – $113,096 p.a + superannuation
FTE / Hours: Full Time - 38 hours per week
Department: Integrated Services
Location: Multi-Campus (as directed by the Manager)
Award / Agreement:Melbourne Polytechnic Academic and Professional Staff Agreement 2023 (PACCT)
Salary Range: $103,821 – $113,096 plus superannuation
Applications Close: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Job Summary
Provide strategic and operational leadership across Melbourne Polytechnic’s multi-site café and catering operations, delivering high-quality service, strong commercial outcomes and an exceptional campus experience.
Why You'll Love Working Here
Melbourne Polytechnic has delivered hands‑on, future‑focused education for more than 110 years. Our people play a vital role in supporting students, industries and communities across Victoria.
In this role, you’ll enjoy:
* Meaningful work that supports education, training, innovation and student success
* Monday to Friday work pattern – no late nights
* A supportive and collaborative team environment
* Flexible work arrangements, where applicable
* Exposure to diverse programs, systems and continuous improvement initiatives
* A values‑driven organisation committed to inclusion, wellbeing and quality
About the Role
The Café Operations Manager provides strategic and operational leadership of Melbourne Polytechnic’s multi-site café and catering operations, with accountability for service excellence, commercial performance, workforce leadership and continuous improvement across all venues.
Reporting to the Manager, Integrated Services, this role operates with a high degree of autonomy and leads café supervisors, chefs and food and beverage teams to deliver consistent, high-quality hospitality services. The position plays a key role in enhancing student and staff experience, supporting campus life, and enabling the sustainable growth of café services, while ensuring compliance with organisational policies, budgets and regulatory requirements
What You’ll Do
* Provide end-to-end leadership and accountability for café and catering operations across multiple campuses
* Lead, develop and manage café supervisors, chefs and food and beverage teams
* Oversee workforce planning, staffing models and labour budgets to support operational needs
* Manage financial and commercial performance, including procurement, inventory and supplier management
* Lead menu development and service innovation in collaboration with chefs and key stakeholders
* Oversee internal and external catering services, events and special projects
* Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures and systems
* Ensure compliance with food safety, workplace health and safety and legislative requirements
* Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external clients
* Monitor performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives
What You’ll Bring
* Demonstrated senior-level experience leading multi-site food and beverage or hospitality operations
* Strong people leadership capability, including workforce planning and performance management
* Proven experience managing labour budgets, procurement and supplier relationships
* Commercial acumen, including menu development, food cost management and service optimisation
* Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple sites
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
* Strong commitment to food safety, workplace health and safety and compliance
Qualifications & Mandatory Checks
Appointment to this position is subject to meeting the qualification requirements (where applicable) and the successful completion of all mandatory employment checks.
Qualifications
To be considered for this role, applicants must hold relevant qualifications and/or equivalent experience aligned to the requirements of the role, as outlined in the Position Description.
Mandatory Checks
Appointment to this position is subject to the successful completion of all mandatory employment checks.
You must hold, or be eligible to obtain:
* A valid Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee)
* A National Police Check
* Any other role-specific employment, regulatory or safety checks required for the position
How To Apply
Click Apply to submit your application through Melbourne Polytechnic’s careers portal. You will be able to view the full Position Description and upload your documents online.
Please ensure you:
* Complete all pre-screening questions
* Upload your CV and a brief cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your skills and experience align with the role
File Requirements:
* Preferred format: PDF (Word .doc or .docx accepted)
* Avoid special characters in file names (e.g. ! @ # % *)
What Happens Next
* An interview (in person or via Microsoft Teams)
* Reference checks
* Employment and qualification verification
We aim to provide a respectful and timely recruitment experience for all applicants.
Melbourne Polytechnic is an equal opportunity and child-safe employer. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and people of all gender identities.
Recruitment Agencies
Melbourne Polytechnic manages all recruitment directly. We do not accept unsolicited applications from agencies unless engaged through the State Purchasing Contract and with prior written approval.
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