Executive Chef: Culinary Innovator & Operations Leader

Advanced Search Group; Manama; On-site; BHD 30,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Search Group is seeking an Executive Chef to oversee all culinary operations, lead kitchen teams, and ensure top-quality food and service. The role includes pre-opening setup, menu development, and ensuring strict food safety and cost controls across bakery, pastry, and hot-kitchen divisions.

You will drive production planning, supplier trials, and SOP documentation while mentoring staff and coordinating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, compliant operations for cloud

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience as an Executive Chef.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
• Knowledge of current industry trends and techniques.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
• Strong understanding of food and labor costs and the ability to manage them effectively.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Opening & Facility Setup with cross-functional teams to design layouts and equipment needs.
• Support equipment selection, installation, and commissioning to meet production volumes.
• Determine capacity, staffing, schedules, and opening inventory par levels.
• Lead supplier trials, ingredient approvals, kitchen testing, and mock runs before launch.
• Oversee culinary standards across bakery, pastry, and hot-kitchen divisions.
• Scale and document master recipes, SOPs, portions, allergens, and photos for Costa and Pickl.
• Lead shelf-life testing, menu engineering, sensory evaluations, and trials for cloud kitchen/B2B ventures.
• Balance recipe creativity with cost efficiency and operational simplicity.
• Convert forecasts into daily/weekly/monthly production schedules.
• Oversee workflow to optimize capacity and minimize overtime.
• Maintain cut-off times, dispatch routines, and replenishment with logistics.
• Build contingency procedures for equipment failure or supply shortages.
• Design HACCP-based controls, SOPs, and compliance with Bahrain regulations.
• Standardize receiving, storage, temperature tracking, and allergen management.
• Investigate non-conformances and safety incidents to implement fixes.
• Ensure audit readiness for internal, brand, and municipal inspections.
• Manage recipe costing, track yields, and monitor waste.
• Partner with Finance on food cost variances and pricing structures.
• Optimize productivity and product mix to support margins.
• Set supplier specifications, par levels, and cold-chain integrity.
• Recruit, train, and mentor supervisors and staff across kitchen sections.
• Build shift rosters aligned with demand and establish cross-training.

Skills

Executive kitchen leadership

Staff management

Food safety

Menu development

Cost control

Communication

Organizational skills

Job description

Advanced Search Group is seeking an Executive Chef to oversee all culinary operations, lead kitchen teams, and ensure top-quality food and service. The role includes pre-opening setup, menu development, and ensuring strict food safety and cost controls across bakery, pastry, and hot-kitchen divisions.

You will drive production planning, supplier trials, and SOP documentation while mentoring staff and coordinating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, compliant operations for cloud