Production Head Chef — Product Innovation Lead

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

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.