Executive Chef

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learn & Typsy access to Accor Academy

Dry Cleaning of Uniforms

Diverse and inclusive culture

Accor Parental Leave Scheme

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Novotel & ibis Auckland Ellerslie is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary operation across our 247-room dual-branded hotel complex. Reporting to the General Manager, you will provide strong leadership across all kitchen operations, build capability, foster a positive culture, and deliver high standards across the restaurant, bar, conferences and events.

This hands-on leader will drive menu development, manage food and labour costs, ensure HACCP and health & safety

Qualifications

• Experience as Executive Chef or senior culinary leader in hotel, conference and events or high-volume hospitality.
• Strong people leadership with ability to coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and health & safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to the kitchen team with a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members to build capability and engagement.
• Oversee culinary operations across all outlets and events, ensuring quality and guest satisfaction.
• Drive menu development and culinary innovation balancing quality with commercial performance.
• Manage food and labour costs, inventory, purchasing, and waste to meet financial targets.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP and health & safety requirements.
• Collaborate with Food & Beverage, Conference & Events, and hotel leadership teams to deliver guest experiences.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across people, processes and service delivery.

Skills

People leadership

Coaching & development

Budgeting & cost control

Food safety & HACCP

Stakeholder management

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

At Novotel & ibis Auckland Ellerslie, food is at the heart of the guest experience. From restaurant dining and room service to conferences, meetings and corporate events, our culinary team plays a vital role in delivering memorable experiences for every guest.

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary operation across our 247-room dual-branded hotel complex. Reporting to the General Manager, you will provide strong leadership across all kitchen operations, building team capability, fostering a positive culture, and delivering consistently high standards across Acacia Restaurant & Garden Bar, conferencing and events.

This is an opportunity for a hands-on leader to make a lasting impact. You will bring structure, coaching, and a passion for developing people, while driving continuous improvement and delivering exceptional food experiences that reflect the quality, hospitality, and values of the Novotel and ibis brands.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to the kitchen team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members to build capability, performance, and engagement.
• Oversee culinary operations across Acacia Restaurant & Garden Bar, conferencing, events, and room service, ensuring quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction.
• Drive menu development and culinary innovation while balancing commercial performance and operational efficiency.
• Manage food and labour costs, inventory, purchasing, and waste control to achieve financial targets.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, hygiene, HACCP, and Health & Safety requirements.
• Partner closely with Food & Beverage, Conference & Events, and hotel leadership teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across people, processes, and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, or senior culinary leader within a hotel, conference and events, or high-volume hospitality environment.
• A strong people leader with a demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience fostering a positive, accountable, and collaborative team culture.
• Strong commercial acumen, including food cost control, labour management, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Proven ability to manage diverse culinary operations, including restaurant dining, conferencing, events, and banqueting.
• Sound knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP, and Health & Safety requirements.
• Exceptional organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with a passion for delivering memorable guest experiences.
• Flexibility to work across a rotating 7-day roster, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

Accor isn't just about developing your career; it's also about helping you enjoy it too. We believe in rewarding your achievements with a range of exciting employee benefits and programs.

• Learn your Way & Typsy - Access to our Accor Academy so you can Earn while you Learn!
• Dry Cleaning of Uniform
• Diverse and inclusive work culture
• Accor's Parental Leave Scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program