Multi-Site Venue Catering Manager – AAMI Park & Melbourne Showgrounds

Lead. Inspire. Transforming Venues into Something Exceptional.

Are you a hospitality leader who thrives on variety, loves a challenge, and gets energised by the opportunity to shape not one, but two distinct catering operations? We're looking for a dynamic Multi-Site Venue Catering Manager to take the reins across AAMI Park and the Melbourne Showgrounds and elevate them to new heights.

Since 1984, Gema Group has been a trusted partner for bringing event and venue visions to life.

Our team combines a unique blend of family values, unwavering dedication, and complex industry expertise to ensure the success of every project, from an intimate gathering right through to major international events.

Our approach is simple: outstanding catering should feel personal, not just professional. Every event is an opportunity to bring people together over something genuine and memorable. We believe food is more than fuel; it's a reflection of who we are and the care we put into every detail.

The culture we've built is grounded in reliability, respect, and a genuine commitment to excellence. From kitchen to event floor, our team shows up not just to serve, but to represent a business with personality, values, and real pride in its work. That's what sets us apart, and it's visible in every plate we prepare, every client we partner with, and every team member we support.

When you join Gema Group, you'll enjoy the opportunities to bring your visions to life across multiple venues, genuine opportunities for growth and development, and the chance to be part of something that values quality, innovation, and the people who make it all possible.

The Opportunity

AAMI Park and Melbourne Showgrounds are two of Melbourne's most recognisable venues, hosting everything from elite sporting fixtures and international concerts to large-scale exhibitions, conferences and corporate functions.

This is a senior, overarching role with oversight of all catering operations across both venues, spanning corporate hospitality, retail and culinary. We're looking for a leader with a strong corporate hospitality operations background, someone who brings the polish and precision of premium service and can apply it across every part of the venue. You'll have the autonomy to innovate,



the support to succeed, and the scope to make a real impact.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll split your time across both venues, leading site-based management teams and making sure corporate, retail and culinary operations work together seamlessly. Working closely with our Procurement, Finance, Culinary, Safety and HR teams as a key member of the Gema management group, you'll manage budgets and P&L;, streamline training across the business, and build a "one team" culture across both sites. Above all, you'll ensure every event, from a boardroom lunch to a sell-out fixture, is delivered safely and to a high standard.

The Role

Operational Leadership:

- Oversee all catering operations across AAMI Park and the Melbourne Showgrounds, spanning corporate hospitality, retail and culinary

- Ensure seamless execution across sporting fixtures, concerts, exhibitions and corporate and private events

- Maintain a visible presence on event days to monitor service flow and quality, taking immediate action to resolve operational challenges

Service Delivery & Gema Group Standards:

- Implement and maintain our standards across both sites, ensuring a premium and consistent guest experience regardless of event type

- Develop and implement standardised processes for efficiency and quality control

Financial Management:

- Manage site-specific budgets, labour costs and P&L; reporting in collaboration with Finance and the Executive General Manager - Venues and Stadia

- Ensure service models are both profitable and sustainable, without compromising our standards

Procurement Collaboration:

- Partner closely with Gema Group's Procurement team to manage supply chains and oversee stock control

- Ensure all purchasing aligns with the company's commercial benchmarks and quality requirements

People, Training & Culture:

- Lead and inspire site-based management and casual staff,



fostering a "one team" culture across AAMI Park and the Showgrounds

- Work with our broader team to implement and streamline training programs across the business

- Proactively identify training needs and implement development programs focused on service excellence, safety and operational efficiency

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Work as a key member of the Gema management group alongside Culinary, Safety and Compliance, Finance and HR

- Act as the primary operational liaison between site teams and Gema's national support functions

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

- Lead a proactive "see something, say something" safety culture, with all staff engaged in hazard identification and near miss reporting

- Ensure both venues remain fully compliant with WHS legislation, liquor licensing and food safety regulations

Commitment to the IMS:

- Endorsing and facilitating the Integrated Management System documents and policies, including ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001

- Facilitating regular internal audits

- Ensuring an effective implementation of IMS and corrective and preventive actions

- Keeping the IMS up to date with business changes/new requirements

- Participating in surveillance audits and implementing resulting corrective actions

What We're Looking For

- A strong background in corporate hospitality operations, ideally from a convention centre, major venue or large-scale events business

- Significant senior catering or venue management experience in high-volume environments

- Proven ability to manage multiple busy sites while maintaining high standards and team cohesion

- Strong commercial acumen, including P&L; management, budgeting and labour cost control

- Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire diverse teams, focusing on motivation and team development

- Commitment to inclusivity and fostering a positive workplace culture

- A practical understanding of IMS in a hospitality context

- Qualifications in hospitality, food safety, or business management are highly valued

Ready To Make Your Mark?

If you're excited by the prospect of growing the corporate events offering at two of Melbourne's premier venues and ready to bring your A-game every single day, we want to hear from you.

Apply now and let's talk about your next big move.

📌 Multi Site Venue Catering Manager - Melbourne
🏢 Gema Group Holdings PL
📍 Melbourne