Sous Chef / Production Team Leader

The Kitchen Food Company; Canterbury-Bankstown; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kitchen Food Company is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead our production team at the Riverwood site in South-West Sydney. You will drive daily cooking and chilling operations, ensuring targets and quality standards are met while maintaining HACCP compliance.

As a hands-on leader, you will manage a small-to-medium team, promote a culture of safety and excellence, and support continuous improvement in a structured food manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Minimum three years' experience as a Sous Chef in a restaurant, hotel, catering operation or other food outlet.
• Experience leading and managing a small or medium-sized team.
• Sound practical knowledge of HACCP and food safety principles.
• An understanding of workplace health and safety requirements.
• Strong communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused attitude and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent personal presentation and hygiene standards.
• A genuine passion for food and quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support a team of food production operatives.
• Oversee daily cooking and chilling operations to meet production schedules and quality standards.
• Ensure daily production targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) are achieved.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and product quality in accordance with HACCP requirements.
• Ensure equipment and production processes are operated safely and efficiently.
• Monitor workflow, minimise waste and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with the Production Manager and other departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Promote a positive team culture focused on accountability, safety, quality and performance.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Kitchen Food Company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality food products, serving customers across the country. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices. Join our team and be part of our continued success.

Sous Chef / Production Team Leader

Location: Riverwood, South-West Sydney NSW
Job Type: Full-time Continuing or Casual (On-Going)

About the Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Sous Chef with strong leadership skills to join our production team at our Riverwood site in South-West Sydney.

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will lead a small to medium-sized team responsible for cooking and chilling a variety of food products to support the following day's production requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate chef looking to take the next step in their career, applying their culinary expertise and team leadership skills in a structured food production environment.

Previous food manufacturing experience would be advantageous but is not essential. We welcome applications from chefs with experience managing teams in restaurants, hotels, catering operations or other large commercial kitchens.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support a team of food production operatives.
• Oversee daily cooking and chilling operations to meet production schedules and quality standards.
• Ensure daily production targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) are achieved.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and product quality in accordance with HACCP requirements.
• Ensure equipment and production processes are operated safely and efficiently.
• Monitor workflow, minimise waste and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with the Production Manager and other departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Promote a positive team culture focused on accountability, safety, quality and performance.

About You

You are a hands-on leader who enjoys working with food, developing people and ensuring daily targets are achieved. You can work at pace, remain calm under pressure and take pride in delivering consistent results.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Minimum three years' experience as a Sous Chef in a restaurant, hotel, catering operation or other food outlet.
• Experience leading and managing a small or medium-sized team.
• Sound practical knowledge of HACCP and food safety principles.
• An understanding of workplace health and safety requirements.
• Strong communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused attitude and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent personal presentation and hygiene standards.
• A genuine passion for food and quality.

Experience in food manufacturing, large-scale food preparation, automated production equipment or packaging machinery would be highly regarded, but not essential.

Why Join Us?

• Permanent, full-time employment opportunity.
• An opportunity to transfer your culinary skills into food manufacturing.
• The chance to lead a team and make a meaningful contribution to daily production performance.
• An opportunity to broaden your skills beyond a traditional commercial kitchen environment.