Head Chef

Carnmore Hotel Collection; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Menu design freedom

Team leadership

Job summary

Carnmore Hotel Lower Hutt is seeking a Working Head Chef to lead our kitchen in delivering high-quality, creative menus for a busy restaurant, sports bar, events and conference venue. You’ll drive standards, manage food operations and cost control with a front-line leadership approach.

The role requires hands-on leadership across peak service hours, menu development, and mentoring a talented kitchen team to ensure exceptional guest experiences. Join a brand undergoing transformation and growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a hotel or busy multi-outlet venue.
• Strong cost control, budgeting, and kitchen administration knowledge.
• Ability to lead peak service hours and maintain consistency.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with guest focus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations for Restaurant, Sports Bar, events, conferencing and room service.
• Maintain a hands-on presence during breakfast, dinner, and event service periods.
• Full accountability for food cost control, portion management, supplier negotiations, and wastage reduction.
• Manage monthly reporting for COGS, GP%, labour costs, and P&L performance.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus that meet quality and profitability goals.
• Recruit, train, and mentor the kitchen team to deliver consistency and efficiency.
• Coordinate with Events team to deliver high-quality catering for conferences and functions.
• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, and Food Hygiene standards.
• Project manage kitchen upgrades and contribute to capital planning.

Skills

Leadership

Cost control

Menu costing

Staff development

Kitchen management

Food safety

Job description

Working Head Chef – Carnmore Hotel Lower Hutt

Carnmore Hotel Collection is a locally owned, growing hotel group with properties across New Zealand. We take pride in being part of the community, fostering genuine care, and creating outstanding guest experiences.

Our Vision:

At Carnmore Hotel Collection, we aim to provide more than just accommodation, we strive to create narratives of warmth, genuine hospitality, and care that extend beyond our hotel and into the community. We are dedicated to exceeding expectations, crafting memorable stays, and creating lasting impressions. We aspire to set new standards in service and hospitality while consistently receiving high ratings on guest survey platforms.

Joining Carnmore Hotel Collection means embracing an opportunity for personal growth and becoming part of something truly special. As a key member of the Carnmore family, you will be empowered to excel and contribute to our collective vision. If making a meaningful impact excites you, we would love to hear from you.

We’re looking for a Working Head Chef to “Work Their Magic.”

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Working Head Chef to lead our enthusiastic kitchen team in preparing and presenting consistently high-quality food.

This is an opportunity for a creative, commercially minded Head Chef to express their passion for flavours, presentation, and leadership within a busy restaurant, bar, and conference venue at the soon-to-be-relaunched Carnmore Hotel Lower Hutt (formerly The Angus).

About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership position that demands a strong presence in the kitchen, especially during peak service hours. You’ll be expected to lead from the front, drive standards, and take full ownership of food operations, costs, and performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing daily kitchen operations for the Restaurant, Sports Bar, events, conferencing and room service.
• Maintaining a hands-on presence during breakfast, dinner, and event service periods as directed by the General Manager.
• Full accountability for food cost control, portion management, supplier negotiations, and wastage reduction.
• Managing monthly reporting for COGS, GP%, labour costs, and P&L performance.
• Developing and executing seasonal menus that meet quality and profitability goals.
• Recruiting, training, and mentoring the kitchen team to deliver consistency and efficiency.
• Coordinating with the Events team to deliver high-quality catering for conferences and functions.
• Ensuring full compliance with all Health, Safety, and Food Hygiene standards.
• Project managing kitchen upgrades and contributing to capital planning.

About You

We’re looking for a Head Chef who is equal parts leader, mentor, and operator, someone who understands that numbers matter as much as flavor.

You will bring:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a hotel or busy multi-outlet venue.
• A deep understanding of cost control, budgeting, and kitchen administration.
• The ability to lead from the front and be present during all peak service hours.
• Strong organisational and communication skills with a focus on consistency and results.
• A calm, proactive, and solutions-driven approach under pressure.
• A passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences through great food.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a major hotel transformation and rebrand with full support from senior management.
• Freedom to design menus, build your team, and shape the kitchen from the ground up.
• Competitive salary package and career growth opportunities within Carnmore Hotel Collection.
• Work alongside a passionate leadership team committed to excellence and accountability.

Ready to make your mark?

If you’re a hands on leader who thrives on structure, creativity, and cost discipline we’d love to hear from you.

Employer questions

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
• How many years' experience do you have as a Head Chef?
• Do you have experience with menu planning & costing?
• Do you have experience as a chef in a high volume restaurant?
• Do you have experience completing ad hoc and month end reporting?
• What's your expected annual base salary?