Multi-Unit Executive / Head Chef – Culinary Operations

The Career Nest; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Duty meals

Annual flight ticket allowance

Employment visa and relocation support

Job summary

The Career Nest is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead and standardize our flavour-forward multi-site operation in the UAE. You will shape the menu, work with the central kitchen on batch recipes, and ensure consistency across delivery, takeout, and in-house service.

You’ll drive culinary readiness for flagship launches, oversee food cost and safety, and lead a collaborative team with strong English communication.

Qualifications

• An experienced Head Chef, or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready for broader responsibility.
• Real strength in proteins, vegetables, salads, dressings and marinades.
• Experience in fast-casual, multi-site or central-kitchen operations.
• Wood-fire or Josper experience is a strong advantage.
• Practical, collaborative leadership and openness to feedback.
• Strong English communication.

Responsibilities

• Audit and refine the existing menu and develop signature dishes.
• Work with central kitchen on batch recipes, yields, portion specifications and preparation schedules.
• Decide what is prepared centrally and how it is finished at each outlet.
• Ensure dishes hold up in busy service, takeout and delivery.
• Create recipe cards, preparation guides and presentation standards; train teams.
• Control food cost, portions, wastage, food safety and allergens.
• Lead culinary readiness for new flagship, menu launches and openings.

Skills

Head Chef

Senior Sous Chef

Proteins & Sauces

Central kitchen ops

Josper / Wood-fire

Multi-site ops

Leadership

English fluency

Job description

A growing, flavour-led fast-casual concept in the UAE, built around fresh ingredients, bowls, grilled proteins, vegetables, salads and house-made sauces. Restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, a flagship opening in Abu Dhabi, and more to follow.

This is a brand role rather than a single kitchen. You set the food for every location and make sure it tastes the same on a busy lunch service, on a delivery order and in a restaurant that has not opened yet. You report directly to the founder and shape the menu as the concept grows.

What The Role Covers

• Audit and refine the existing menu, keep what works and develop new signature dishes
• Work hands-on with the central kitchen on batch recipes, yields, portion specifications and preparation schedules
• Decide what is prepared centrally and how it is stored, transported and finished at each outlet
• Make sure every dish holds up in busy service, takeaway and delivery
• Create recipe cards, preparation guides and presentation standards, and train the teams to follow them
• Control food cost, portions, wastage, food safety and allergen standards
• Lead culinary readiness for the new flagship, menu launches and future openings

What We're Looking For

• An experienced Head Chef, or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready for broader responsibility
• Real strength in proteins, vegetables, salads, dressings, sauces and marinades
• Experience in fast-casual, multi-site or central-kitchen operations
• Wood-fire or Josper experience is a strong advantage
• Practical, collaborative leadership and genuine openness to feedback
• Strong English communication

The package

• Competitive tax-free salary, all-inclusive
• Medical insurance and duty meals
• Annual flight ticket allowance
• Employment visa and relocation support for overseas candidates