Executive Chef

JobSpace; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exclusive Hotel Deals

Global Perks

Banking and Insurance

Generous Leave

Wellness Boost

Job summary

Minor Hotels in Queenstown, NZ, seeks an experienced Executive Chef to oversee the kitchen operations of a high-volume hotel on a full-time basis. You will lead and inspire the culinary team, drive menu innovation, and ensure peak quality, hygiene, and service standards for guests.

Responsibilities include menu planning, cost control, staff onboarding, and collaboration with management on operational goals.

Qualifications

• Over 3 years' experience as Head Chef or executive chef in hotel or high-volume environment.
• Ability to manage a busy kitchen with consistency and creativity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Strong financial awareness including food cost control and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor kitchen team to ensure high performance and standards.
• Oversee meal preparation to ensure quality and presentation.
• Plan, develop and implement menus, including seasonal offerings.
• Monitor food costs and inventory, ensuring budget targets.
• Ensure WHS, HACCP, and hygiene compliance.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with recruitment for onboarding and staffing.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Budget & cost control

HACCP & WHS compliance

Staff recruitment & onboarding

High-volume kitchen experience

Communication skills

Job description

– Queenstown-Lakes District, South Island

Minor Hotels, Oaks Queenstown Club Suites are looking for an experienced and passionate Executive Chef to oversee and lead the kitchen operations on a full-time basis.

This role is essential in overseeing all kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and service are consistently delivered to guests. The successful candidate will recruit, inspire and manage the culinary team, drive menu innovation, and maintain efficient, compliant kitchen operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team to ensure high performance and adherence to standards.
• Oversee the preparation and cooking of meals to consistently high quality and presentation standards.
• Plan, develop, and implement menus, including seasonal and special offerings, in line with guest expectations and brand standards.
• Monitor food costs, inventory, and stock control to maintain budgetary targets.
• Ensure full compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), HACCP, and all hygiene regulations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with the recruitment team to manage new hires and a successful onboarding process.
• Collaborate with management to support operational and strategic objectives, including training, rostering, and staff development.
• Continuously review kitchen operations to identify opportunities for efficiency and quality improvement.

Shift details (subject to change): Flexibility to work across all meal services including breakfast, lunch, and dinner as required.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Over 3 years' experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role within a hotel or high-volume environment.
• Ability to manage a busy kitchen, with a high level of consistency and creativity
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Strong financial awareness, including food cost control and inventory management.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Positive, proactive attitude and genuine passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences.

At Minor Hotels, we value our people as the heart of our success. Joining Minor means, you'll enjoy a rewarding package designed to support your professional growth, wellbeing, and work-life balance:

• Career Growth: Learning and development programs to boost your career.
• Exclusive Hotel Deals: 50% off stays at Minor Hotels in Australasia; 20% off for friends and family.
• Global Perks: International accommodation discounts across our hotel brands.
• Retail Rewards: Cashback and discounts at 400+ top retailers in AU/NZ.
• Experiences: Discounted entertainment and activities.
• Banking and Insurance: Exclusive health insurance offers and workplace banking benefits.
• Generous Leave: Parental and birthday leave.
• Wellness Boost: EAP and tailored wellness support.

Currently, we are only accepting applications from candidates who have working rights within New Zealand.