Head Chef - Production / R&D

JRM Hospitality; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform provided

Staff discounts

Job summary

JRM Hospitality Recruitment seeks an experienced Head Chef to oversee a specialist production kitchen in Mascot. You will head the production and ongoing development of a broad retail food range, from ready meals to sauces and condiments, with a focus on quality and consistency.

The role combines hands-on cooking with product innovation and kitchen leadership, offering a Monday-to-Friday schedule and a pathway to influence an evolving product range within a premium culinary environment.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef experience in premium culinary environments.
• Strong background in recipe development and product innovation.
• Experience in central production kitchens or high-end retail/restaurant ops.
• Excellent technical cooking ability and knowledge of food safety standards (HACCP).

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of a premium food production kitchen, managing a team of 4-6 chefs.
• Drive research and development of new products across ready meals, pantry items, sauces, condiments and retail lines.
• Develop, test and refine recipes, ensuring consistency, flavour, presentation and suitability for retail production.
• Oversee production planning, kitchen workflow and efficient allocation of resources.
• Establish recipe specifications, costing, portion control and production procedures to maintain quality and viability.
• Collaborate with senior management on product innovation, seasonal ranges and opportunities to expand the retail offering.
• Maintain exceptional food safety standards, including HACCP compliance, traceability, labelling and shelf-life requirements.
• Manage purchasing, stock control, wastage and production costs.
• Mentor and develop the kitchen team, promoting accountability, creativity and continuous improvement.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Product innovation

Recipe development

Kitchen leadership

Food production

Job description

Lead product innovation and culinary development for an established premium food brand.

JRM Hospitality Recruitment is seeking an experienced and creative Head Chef to oversee a specialist production kitchen in Mascot.

This is an opportunity for a commercially minded chef who enjoys developing new products, refining recipes and delivering exceptional food quality within a premium culinary environment.

Working with a small team of 4-6 chefs, you will lead the production and ongoing development of an extensive retail food range, including restaurant-quality ready meals, pantry products, sauces, condiments and seasonal specialty items.

The position combines hands-on cooking, product innovation and kitchen leadership, offering the opportunity to influence an evolving product range while enjoying predominantly Monday-to-Friday working hours.

Head Chef - Production

JRM Hospitality Recruitment is seeking an experienced and creative Head Chef to oversee a specialist production kitchen in Mascot.

This is an opportunity for a commercially minded chef who enjoys developing new products, refining recipes and delivering exceptional food quality within a premium culinary environment.

Working with a small team of 4-6 chefs, you will lead the production and ongoing development of an extensive retail food range, including restaurant-quality ready meals, pantry products, sauces, condiments and seasonal specialty items.

The position combines hands-on cooking, product innovation and kitchen leadership, offering the opportunity to influence an evolving product range while enjoying predominantly Monday-to-Friday working hours.

The Role

• Lead the daily operation of a premium food production kitchen, managing a team of 4-6 chefs.
• Drive research and development of new products across ready meals, pantry items, sauces, condiments and retail food lines.
• Develop, test and refine recipes, ensuring consistency, flavour, presentation and suitability for retail production.
• Oversee production planning, kitchen workflow and efficient allocation of resources.
• Establish recipe specifications, costing, portion control and production procedures to maintain quality and commercial viability.
• Collaborate with senior management on product innovation, seasonal ranges and opportunities to expand the retail offering.
• Maintain exceptional food safety standards, including HACCP compliance, traceability, labelling and shelf-life requirements.
• Manage purchasing, stock control, wastage and production costs.
• Mentor and develop the kitchen team, promoting accountability, creativity and continuous improvement.

About You

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or Production Chef within a premium culinary environment.
• A strong background in recipe development, product innovation and food production.
• Experience in central production kitchens, premium retail food, catering or high-end restaurant operations will be highly regarded.
• Excellent technical cooking ability with an understanding of a broad range of cuisines and cooking techniques.
• Commercial awareness, including recipe costing, production efficiencies and waste management.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and production processes.
• A creative, organised and hands-on approach to kitchen leadership.
• Confidence working independently while collaborating with senior management and other departments.

Hours & Benefits

• Monday to Friday, approximately 6:00am-3:30pm.
• Predominantly daytime hours with occasional overtime during peak seasonal periods.
• Opportunity to lead research, development and innovation within an established premium food business.
• Work with exceptional ingredients and high-quality products.
• Lead a small, skilled culinary team with scope to develop and expand the product range.
• Uniform provided and attractive staff discounts.
• A stable working environment offering an excellent balance between professional development and lifestyle.