Executive Chef – Mamattuk Restaurant

Nunacor Development Corporation; Happy Valley-Goose Bay; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Housing assistance

Staff accommodations

Job summary

Mamattuk in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL seeks an Executive Chef to lead a high performing kitchen and shape a Labrador-inspired culinary program that celebrates local ingredients.

You will mentor the team, develop seasonal menus, manage inventory, food costing and scheduling, and partner with ownership to drive exceptional guest experiences and financial performance. Collaborations with Royal Inn + Suites and local producers will shape Labrador's premier dining destination.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive food and beverage management experience.
• Minimum of 2 years in an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or leadership role.
• Experience with inventory management, labour scheduling, budgeting, food costing, and cost control.
• Red Seal Certification and/or Culinary Diploma preferred.
• Food Safety Certification and WHMIS Certification (SkillpassNL preferred).
• Strong computer, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to lift 40+ lbs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Shape and evolve a culinary program that celebrates Labrador.
• Create innovative seasonal menus while maintaining authenticity and consistency.
• Drive strong operational and financial performance.
• Build relationships with local producers, suppliers, and the community.
• Oversee inventory, purchasing, food costing, scheduling, labour management, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace standards.
• Work closely with front-of-house leadership to deliver an exceptional guest experience.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Team mentorship

Cost controls

Communication

Education

Red Seal Certification

Culinary Diploma

Job description

Mamattuk is looking for our next Executive Chef.

Located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Mamattuk is an established, award-winning restaurant that opened in January 2024. We are looking for a creative, passionate and experienced culinary leader to take the restaurant into its next chapter.

Mamattuk is built around scratch cooking, exceptional ingredients and Labrador-inspired cuisine, with a strong focus on utilizing local and regional products whenever possible. Our culinary program continues to evolve, creating an outstanding opportunity for an Executive Chef who wants the creative freedom to make their mark on an established restaurant with a strong reputation, loyal clientele and an engaged ownership group.

The restaurant itself is something special — a beautifully architecturally designed space that combines restaurant, lounge, coffee bar, patio and private dining experiences. Behind it is an established culinary and front-of-house team that is ready for its next leader.

The opportunity is one that offers the right candidate the ability to:

• Lead and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Shape and evolve a culinary program that celebrates Labrador.
• Create innovative seasonal menus while maintaining authenticity and consistency.
• Drive strong operational and financial performance.
• Build relationships with local producers, suppliers, and the community.
• Play an important role in shaping the guest experience and reputation of Mamattuk.

The Executive Chef will be the primary source of culinary leadership and inspiration, driving the kitchen team toward excellence while maintaining high standards of food quality, consistency, presentation, and guest satisfaction.

The Executive Chef will oversee the day-to-day culinary operation while ensuring effective inventory management, purchasing, food costing, scheduling, labour management, budgeting, and waste reduction. This position will also work closely with hospitality and ownership leadership to support menu strategy, culinary development, and the continued growth of Mamattuk.

Executive Chef Key Roles:

• Lead all kitchen operations while maintaining exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Develop seasonal menus that showcase Labrador’s unique ingredients, flavours, and culinary traditions.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop culinary team members while fostering a positive, respectful, and accountable workplace.
• Recruit, train, coach, and retain a high-performing culinary team.
• Oversee inventory, purchasing, food costing, scheduling, labour management, and waste reduction.
• Maintain strong financial performance through effective cost controls and operational planning.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace standards.
• Work closely with front-of-house leadership to deliver an exceptional and seamless guest experience.
• Support culinary events, tourism initiatives, promotional activities, and community engagement.
• Build relationships with local producers and suppliers.
• Collaborate with ownership on menu strategy and culinary development.
• Work closely with hotel team at Royal Inn + Suites to meet food service needs and elevate overall guest experience.
• Encourage creativity, innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development within the culinary team.
• Leadership: Inspires, motivates, and develops a high-performing culinary team while creating a culture of teamwork and accountability.
• Culinary Excellence: Demonstrates a passion for exceptional food, creativity, innovation, and consistent execution.
• Business Awareness: Understands financial performance, food costs, labour, inventory, and operational controls.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively with employees, management, ownership, guests, and stakeholders.
• Organization: Effectively plans, prioritizes, and manages multiple operational demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem Solving: Remains calm, flexible, and solution-focused when faced with operational challenges.
• Guest Focus: Maintains high standards for guest satisfaction and understands the importance of every dining experience.
• Team Development: Committed to mentoring and developing culinary talent and supporting opportunities for growth.

Education and Job Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive food and beverage mangement experience.
• Minimum of 2 years in an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or leadership role.
• Experience with inventory management, labour scheduling, budgeting, food costing, and cost control.
• Red Seal Certification and/or Culinary Diploma preferred.
• Food Safety Certification and WHMIS Certification (SkillpassNL preferred).
• Strong computer, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Must be able to lift 40+ lbs.

Salary and Benefits:

• Health and dental benefits with 50% employer contribution following successful completion of probation.
• Paid vacation in accordance with company policy.
• Sick leave in accordance with company policy.
• Complimentary uniforms.
• Assistance with finding housing and staff accommodations available at below-market rates.
• The opportunity to help shape the future of Labrador’s premier dining destination.

Mamattuk is more than a restaurant—we are creating an experience that celebrates Labrador through food, hospitality, and culture.

As Executive Chef, your leadership will influence our culinary program, guest experiences, employee culture, and the reputation of one of the region’s most exciting hospitality destinations.

If you are passionate about culinary excellence, inspired by innovation, and excited by the opportunity to lead, create, develop, and showcase the incredible flavours of Labrador, we invite you to join us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Nunacor Development Corporation is a progressive and innovative company that prides itself on offering an engaging work environment and positive workplace culture. We understand that our biggest asset is our people and strive to offer fulfilling and rewarding career opportunities.

Nunacor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic.