Personnel Officer

About Food & Desire

Food & Desire is one of Melbourne's leading premium catering and events companies, delivering world-class culinary experiences across weddings, corporate events, private functions, and major events. Based in South Melbourne, we are a proud hospitality partner of iconic events including the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and have served an impressive portfolio of clients.

With a highly skilled team of chefs and hospitality professionals and a commitment to innovation, quality, and memorable experiences, Food & Desire operates across multiple venues and delivers over 1,000 events per year. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a dedicated Personnel Officer to join our team and support the smooth operation of our people and payroll functions.

The Role

The Personnel Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of recruitment, payroll, personnel records, and human resource compliance across the organisation. This is a critical role that ensures our employees are paid accurately and on time, and that our HR practices comply with the Hospitality Industry General Award (HIGA) and all relevant legislation. The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented HR professional with demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Personnel Officer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Providing staffing and personnel administration services in support of the organisation's human resource policies and programs

• Arranging for advertising of job vacancies, interviewing and testing of applicants, and selection of staff

• Maintaining personnel records and associated human resource information systems

• Arranging the induction of staff and providing information on conditions of service, salaries and promotional opportunities

• Receiving and recording job vacancy information from the relevant manager such as details about job description, wages and conditions of employment

• Providing information on current job vacancies in the organisation to internal and external stakeholders

• Undertaking negotiations on terms and conditions of employment, and examining and resolving disputes and grievances

• Studying and interpreting legislation, awards, collective agreements and employment contracts, wage payment systems and dispute settlement procedures

• Overseeing the formation and conduct of workplace consultative committees and employee participation initiatives

Required Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (e.g. Bachelor’s degree or Diploma), or equivalent professional experience

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a payroll, personnel, or HR administration role

• Demonstrated knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, Fair Work Act 2009, National Employment Standards (NES), and award interpretation

• Experience working with the Hospitality Industry General Award (HIGA) or similar industrial instrument is highly desirable

• Proficiency with payroll and HR management systems

• Strong attention to detail with proven ability to identify and resolve payroll discrepancies

• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to meet weekly payroll deadlines

• Sound written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise with employees, management, and external bodies

• High level of discretion and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately

What We Offer

• Salary of $75,000 – $80,000 per annum plus superannuation, commensurate with experience

• Full-time, permanent position based at our South Melbourne head office

• A supportive and collaborative team environment within a dynamic, growing organisation

• The opportunity to work alongside industry leaders in premium catering and events

• Access to professional development opportunities

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the required skills and experience outlined above.