Chef Manager
Requisition #: 690219
Location: Nanaimo, BC, CA
Career Area: Professional & Management
Information at a Glance
Job Description
Chef Manager | Healing Institute | Gabriola Island, British Columbia
What if your next culinary leadership role offered more than a kitchen to lead?
We're looking for an experienced Chef Manager to oversee culinary operations at a wellness and recovery-focused retreat centre located on beautiful Gabriola Island, British Columbia.
This is an opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who enjoys balancing exceptional food, meaningful guest experiences, and operational leadership. Guests visit the Healing Institute to focus on personal growth, recovery, healing, and well-being, making food an important part of their journey and daily experience.
As the most senior Aramark leader on site, you'll play a key role in culinary excellence, hospitality, client relationships, team leadership, and operational performance.
If you're passionate about creating memorable dining experiences while leading a team in a unique island setting, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Responsibilities
What You'll Do
As Chef Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day food service operation while helping create an environment that supports wellness, hospitality, and guest satisfaction. You'll:
• Lead, coach, and develop the culinary and food service team
• Oversee daily food production and be comfortable working alongside the team in the kitchen when needed
• Ensure food quality, presentation, consistency, and guest satisfaction remain top priorities
• Support menu planning that aligns with wellness-focused programming, dietary accommodations, and guest preferences
• Manage food purchasing, inventory, ordering, and waste control
• Oversee scheduling, labour planning, and daily operational execution
• Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance standards
• Support retreat programming, special events, and catered functions
• Build positive relationships with guests, client stakeholders, and the on-site team
• Monitor operational and financial performance, including labour and food cost targets
• Act as the primary Aramark contact on site and support a strong client partnership
• Contribute ideas and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance both the guest and employee experience
Qualifications
What We're Looking For
We'd love to meet culinary leaders who bring:
• 3+ years of leadership experience within a culinary, hospitality, food service, resort, retreat, or healthcare environment
• Strong culinary skills and the ability to lead a high-quality operation from both the kitchen and management perspective
• Experience managing food costs, labour, inventory, and operational performance
• A genuine passion for coaching and developing team members
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working directly with clients or stakeholders in a service environment
• The ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions
• A diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Management, or a related field is preferred
• Food Safety certification is required
• Red Seal certification is considered an asset
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
Why This Opportunity Is Different
This isn't a traditional restaurant role.
Guests aren't simply dining out. They're spending time focused on healing, wellness, learning, and personal growth. Food plays an important role in creating comfort, community, and a positive overall experience.
We're looking for someone who understands that hospitality is about more than serving meals. It's about creating an environment where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and supported.
Location
This role is based on Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Candidates should be comfortable working in a close-knit island community and travelling via ferry as required.
This position includes physical requirements such as extended periods of standing and walking, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Uniforms and personal protective equipment may also be required.
You'll also have the opportunity to lead in a unique island setting where building strong relationships, adapting to changing priorities, and creating memorable guest experiences are all part of the role.
Education
The pay range for this position is $80,000.00 - $90,000.00.
