Executive Head Chef

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Athlone; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym & pool access

Meals on duty

Free parking

Hotel discounts

Wellness programme

Sports & social club

Job summary

Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, is seeking an Executive Head Chef to lead our award-winning culinary operations across outlets including Water front Bar & Brasserie and L'Escale Restaurant. The role demands high standards, leadership, and strategic budgeting with a strong HACCP background.

You will manage a team, recruit, train, and ensure excellent guest experiences while aligning with our culture and values. The position is on-site, with a 5-day over 7 roster.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years experience at senior chef level in a 4* hotel.
• Possess strong leadership qualities.
• Ability to train new & existing staff.
• Have an excellent knowledge of culinary development and a strong eye for detail.
• Possess the ability to perform under pressure.
• Availability to work 5 over 7 days for both opening and closing shifts.
• A strong level of HACCP.
• Knowledge of budgeting and rostering.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement standards of performance within the food production areas of the hotel, ensuring 4* quality and trained staff.
• With your team, prepare, cook and present food to a consistently high standard for all outlets.
• Achieve the agreed catering budget and control cost of sales; liaise with Purchasing as required.
• Recruit and manage department staff; control labour costs to budget.
• Attend hotel and department meetings to ensure effective communication.
• Create an environment promoting morale and pride in the team, upholding our values.
• Own and monitor departmental budgets with the Financial Controller.
• Appraise staff performance within the food production areas regularly.
• Ensure hygiene and HACCP regulations are adhered to at all times.
• Work with HR to develop and implement training plans.
• Be flexible as part of the management team to meet business aims.
• Ensure highest standards via training and daily site inspections.
• Develop and contribute to Kitchen SOP manuals.
• Maintain excellent customer care and professionalism.

Job description

Location: On site / Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Hospitality | Chefs
Salary: Negotiable salary

The Hodson Bay Hotel has an exciting opportunity for anExecutive Head Chefto lead our award-winning Culinary operations.

Our outlets include the Waterfront Bar & Brasseriewhich has seen extensive investment in facilities. Our L'Escale Restaurant offers guests a fine dining experience with opportunity to create culinary delights using local produce including our own grown ingredients from our Yew Point estate, adjacent to the hotel. The renowned Hodson Bay Hotel offers a cutting-edge opportunity for a dynamic Executive Head Chef to bring these outlets to the next level.

The Hodson Bay Hotel is part of the Hodson Bay Group. With over 900 employees from over 50 countries worldwide, Hodson Bay Group is committed to creating a positive working environment where our people feel they are a valued part of a team delivering excellent service to our guests.

If your passion for creating great dining experience, then we want to heat from you!

Responsible to:

General Manager/Managing Director

Main Duties

• To establish and implement standards of performance within the food production areas of the Hotel, ensuring services offered are of the highest 4-star quality and all employees are trained in the delivery of same.
• With your team, to prepare, cook and present food to a consistently high standard for all food service areas of the Hotel.
• To achieve agreed Catering budget for the Hotel, ensuring that cost of sales is achieved and expenditure controlled at all levels and liaising with the Purchasing Manager as and when required.
• To carry out effective recruitment of employees within your department, ensuring the right people with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time, controlling labour costs to budget.
• To attend Hotel & Head of Department Meetings as required ensuring effective communication at all levels.
• To create an environment that promotes employee morale and encourages the team to have pride and commitment in their area of work always promoting our Culture of Respect and Core Values of Fun, Passion, Excellence, Honesty & Flexibility.
• To accept ownership and control of departmental budgets and costs working with the Financial Controller.
• To appraise and assess all employees within the Food Production areas on a regular basis.
• To ensure that all hygiene & HACCP regulations are adhered to at all times.
• To work with the HR department to develop and implement effective training plans for the Department, based on training need identified.
• To be a flexible and adaptable member of the Management team, working together with the General Manager as a team player to achieve the aims and profile required for the business.
• To ensure that the very highest standards are adhered to at all times by way of thorough training and direction with your staff and daily site inspections.
• To develop and contribute to the development of the Training Manuals (SOP Manuals) for the Kitchen.
• To ensure an excellent standard of customer care and professionalism are achieved at all times.

Your normal working week will be 5 days over a 7-day roster. The weekly roster includes weekend work.

Requirements:

• A Minimum of 5 years experience at Senior Chef Level in a 4* Hotel
• Possess Strong Leadership qualities
• Ability to train new & existing staff
• Have an excellent knowledge of culinary development and a strong eye for detail
• Possess the ability to perform under pressure
• Availability to work 5 over 7 days for both opening and closing shifts
• A strong level of HACCP
• Knowledge of Budgeting and Rostering

Why work with us?

• 39 Hour Working Week
• Complimentary use of Hodson Bay Hotel's Gym & Swimming Pool
• Meals provided while on Duty
• Free Parking
• Hotel Discounts across the Hodson Bay Group
• Motivational Benefits - Manager of the Quarter etc
• Health & Wellness Programme
• Active Sports & Social Club

Join Our Team

At Hodson Bay Hotel, our people are at the heart of everything we do. You will be joining a welcoming, supportive team where your contribution will be valued and where you can continue to grow and develop.

As part of the Hodson Bay Group—proudly holding Gold certification in Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme, Silver accreditation from Investors in Diversity, and recently recognised as one of Ireland’s Happiest Workplaces for 2025 in association with The Sunday Times, the Hodson Bay Hotel is committed to fostering a culture of growth, opportunity, and continuous development for driven and ambitious team members.

We prioritise fostering a people-centric culture where mutual respect and trust create a thriving work atmosphere.

Hodson Bay Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Should you require accommodation or support during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs..