Senior Sous Chef | Cruise Whitsundays

Journey Beyond; Whitsunday Regional; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous travel discounts

Study Assistance Policy

Parental Leave program

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts on merchandise

Discounts at Cruise Café & Bar

Free public transport

Salary sacrifice remote area benefits

Job summary

Journey Beyond is seeking a Senior Sous Chef of production to lead the Cruise Whitsundays kitchen operations. You will plan, coordinate and deliver high-quality catering across Cruise Café & Bar, onboard vessels, Reefworld and events.

This hands-on role requires a proactive leader who can manage staff, optimize production, and uphold food safety standards. You will drive daily production plans, maintain inventory, and mentor kitchen teams to ensure timely service.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing people in a busy kitchen.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences through food quality and service.
• Ability to prioritise and maintain composure in a high-volume operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the production kitchen.
• Develop and manage daily production plans, schedules and staff allocation.
• Oversee all food production activities and inventory control.
• Lead, coach and supervise the production kitchen team and ensure food safety compliance.
• Conduct daily production meetings and resolve issues promptly.

Skills

Staff management

Guest satisfaction

Leadership

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Education

Cert III in Commercial Cookery

First Aid & CPR (HLTAID011)

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Be a part of sharing special places and shaping lasting memories with Australia’s leading experiential tourism business.

About Us

Cruise Whitsundays, based in Airlie Beach is the largest marine-based tour and transport provider in the Whitsundays. Providing close encounters with the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and the islands of the Whitsundays, Cruise Whitsundays operates 10, well-equipped, air-conditioned vessels, plus a world-class sailing catamaran, offering a range of tours, as well as an inter-island resort connection service, with regular daily departures at two islands, one airport and two mainland ports.

Cruise Whitsundays also operates Australia’s first underwater accommodation, Reefsuites, and a Reefsleep glamping experience at the Reefworld pontoon, moored offshore at Hardy Reef on the Great Barrier Reef.

From our cruises and sailing adventures to our world-renowned underwater accommodation, there’s no better way to experience the Whitsundays, and you won’t find a friendlier or more experienced crew to work with.

About Journey Beyond

Journey Beyond is Australia's leading experiential tourism group, operating 35 brands across Australia and New Zealand that connect guests to the land and to each other.
The group was formed in 2016 and now includes:
Rail & Touring: Iconic trains: The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, The Overland and Vintage Rail Journeys, the Murray Princess, Adelaide Sightseeing, premium small-group outback operator Outback Spirit and New Zealand coach tour specialist Grand Pacific Tours.
Resorts & Lodges: Ayers Rock Resort, Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Kingfisher Bay Resort and K'gari Beach Resort, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef and Monarto Safari Resort.
Experiences & Attractions: Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Sailaway Port Douglas, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Darwin Harbour Cruises, Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney, Melbourne Skydeck, Eureka 89, Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo, Mosman Gorge Cultural Centre, Captain Cook Cruises Sydney & Perth, Starship Sydney, The Jackson, Bells Functions, Swan Valley Tours, Red Cat Adventures, Whitsunday Jetski Tours, K'gari Explorer Tours, and Island Connections: Bruny Island, the Whitsundays, K’gari, Darwin -Mandorah, Tiwi Islands and Groote Eylandt.

About the role

We are looking for a passionate hospitality professional with a strong commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience through food quality and service. The Senior Sous Chef of production is responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of the Cruise Whitsundays production kitchen, ensuring the efficient planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality catering across all business operations. This is a hands-on operational leadership role responsible for coordinating production activities, supervising kitchen teams and ensuring food is produced safely, consistently and on schedule for Cruise Café & Bar, onboard vessels, Reefworld, private charters and special events.

Your responsibilities may include but not limited to:

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the production kitchen
• Develop and manage daily production plans, workflow schedules and staff allocation
• Oversee all food production activities
• Manage inventory, ordering, stock rotation, stocktakes and equipment
• Lead, coach and supervise the production kitchen team
• Maintain exceptional standards of food safety, hygiene and workplace safety ensuring compliance with Food Safety Standards and WHS requirements
• Lead daily production meetings and resolve operational issues proactively.

About you

You are an enthusiastic and motivated individual with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, a passion for hospitality and a commitment to providing high quality guest experiences.

To be successful in the role you must have:

• Genuine passion for hospitality and a strong commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience through food quality and service.
• Demonstrated experience in staff management, with the ability to build and maintain a positive, high-performing team culture.
• Highly self-motivated and energetic, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain composure in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen environment.
• Strong attention to detail across all aspects of kitchen operations, from food preparation and presentation through to hygiene and compliance.
• Flexibility to work extended hours during peak periods in line with the demands of the operation.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years in a similar position, preferably with bulk food preparation experience
• Cert III in Commercial Cookery (Mandatory) · HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Mandatory)
• Food Safety Supervisor (Level 1 - SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety & Level 2 -SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices) (Desirable)
• National Police Clearance (Mandatory)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite is required
• Generous discounts on Journey Beyond travel and experiences
• An attractive salary and positive work environment
• Study Assistance Policy
• A career with opportunities for progression, transfers, and secondments
• Employee Referral Policy
• Parental Leave program
• Purchased Leave policy
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on Journey Beyond merchandise
• Discounts at the Cruise Café & Bar
• Discounts at the bar on board vessels
• Free public transport
• Salary sacrifice remote area benefits