Head Chef

Lagardere Travel Retail; Sunshine Coast Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking at Sunshine Coast Airport

Staff Meal Allowance

Parental leave (up to 18 weeks)

Wellbeing leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Lagardère AWPL is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead a multi-outlet culinary operation at Sunshine Coast Airport. You will combine strong leadership with commercial and operational capability to drive food quality, consistency and safety across cafés, restaurants and production kitchens.

You will recruit and develop a culinary team of 15–20, shape menus with the Executive Chef, monitor costs and drive operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or senior culinary leader in high-volume environments.
• Proven leadership experience developing kitchen teams.
• Hands-on experience managing multiple food offers/outlets or production kitchens.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of cafés, restaurants and production kitchens.
• Oversee food quality, presentation, consistency and service.
• Recruit, train and develop a culinary team of 15–20 staff.
• Oversee food ordering, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Drive menu development, innovation and costing with the Executive Chef.
• Monitor costs and waste to support strong commercial performance.
• Implement kitchen systems, processes and food safety procedures.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, WHS, RSA and airport security.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Leadership

Menu costing

Food cost control

Food safety

Education

Food Safety Supervisor certificate

Job description

Be the driving force behind everything culinary

At LagardèreAWPL, we’re not just the largest Travel Retail operator in the Pacific – we’re the most passionate! With 150+ stores across Australia, & New Zealand, we bring big brands to life in airports and travel hubs.

Our dynamic team of 1,500+ professionals work across 40 unique retail and Food & Beverage concepts – and now, we want YOU to join our team!

Following our successful tender win at Sunshine Coast Airport, we are progressively opening six new Food & Beverage venues over the next 12 months. This will become one of our largest F&B operations to date, with an exciting well-rounded offer including an all-day dining restaurant & bar, 2 x cafés, Sushi & Dumplings QSR, Smash Patty Burger Bar and an upmarket good for you health offer. There has never been a better time to get in at the ground level and drive a culinary impact like the one on offer within this Airport.

As our Head Chef, you’ll be at the heart of our culinary operations, leading a talented team across multiple outlets and helping shape the food experience for thousands of customers. You’ll combine hands‑on leadership with strong commercial and operational capability, driving exceptional food quality, consistency and safety while building a positive, high‑performing kitchen culture.

What You’ll Do On A Daily

• Lead the daily operation of cafés, restaurants and production kitchens
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, consistency and service
• Recruit, train, coach and develop a culinary team of approximately 15–20 team members
• Oversee & manage food ordering, purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships
• Be the driving force behind menu development, innovation and costing alongside of the Executive Chef.
• Monitor food costs, labour costs, waste and shrinkage to support strong commercial performance
• Implement clear kitchen systems, production processes and food safety procedures
• Ensure compliance with food safety, WHS, RSA and airport security requirements
• Work closely with the General Manager and wider operational teams to achieve sales, service and financial targets
• Work alongside the Executive Chef on kitchen designs to ensure they are fit for purpose.
• Take a hands‑on role in kitchen service, production and team support when required

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior culinary leader in a high-volume environment
• Strong leadership skills and experience developing kitchen teams
• Hands‑on experience managing multiple food offers, outlets or production kitchens (desirable but not essential)
• Strong knowledge of menu costing, stock control, ordering, labour planning and food‑cost management
• A practical and organised approach, with strong attention to detail
• Confidence working in a fast‑paced environment with changing operational needs
• Experience in airport, travel, retail food service or multi‑site operations is highly desirable
• Food Safety Supervisor qualification and the ability to obtain an ASIC security clearance

Why Join Us?

• Work Life Balance – This role is designed to be a Monday – Friday | daytime based role with some flexibility required to support operations when required.
• Be the driving force behind exciting new concepts – play a key role in bringing new Food & Beverage concepts to life, shaping their culinary direction, standards, and success from the ground up.
• Unrivalled career development – broaden your culinary experience and accelerate your career across a diverse portfolio of multi‑cuisine concepts and operating environments.
• Airport parking – Free Parking at the Sunshine Coast Airport.
• Meal Allowance – Generous Staff Meal Allowance – Free Food & Beverage & extended discounts across our retail network.
• Paid parental leave – up to 18 weeks of employer‑funded top‑up paid parental leave, plus additional personal leave entitlements
• Wellbeing leave – Permanent employees receive a paid wellbeing leave day from day one.
• Employee Assistance Program – free, confidential 24/7 support through TELUS Health.

At Lagardère AWPL, we value diversity, inclusion and a collaborative workplace. You will join a passionate team that cares about quality food, great service and creating positive experiences for travellers.

If you are a hands‑on Head Chef who enjoys building teams, improving kitchen operations and delivering quality food at scale, we would love to hear from you.