Head Chef - The Bakehouse

Ayrburn Precinct; Arrowtown; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ayrburn Precinct in Arrowtown, NZ seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead a dynamic, high-volume kitchen spanning café, restaurant, bakery and events. You will manage a diverse team, drive food quality and customer experience, and work with senior leadership on strategic goals.

Applicants must have 2+ years as Head Chef in a busy venue, strong organisational skills, and a commercial mindset. NZ working rights required; immediate start possible.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience as Head Chef in a high-volume venue.
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-functional teams.
• Highly organised, adaptable and solutions-focused.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire teams across café, restaurant, bakery, pastry & pizza.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and enforce policies.
• Drive high-performance culture focused on exceptional food quality and customer experience.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to meet strategic goals.
• Identify opportunities for growth, improvement and innovation.
• Assist with menu development and execution.
• Understand budgets, food and labour costs and wage control.
• Manage recruitment, training, performance, and succession planning.
• Monitor kitchen equipment, stock takes and safety compliance.
• Maintain logs, cleanliness and stock/expense 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.

Ayrburn Precinct – Arrowtown, South Island

This is an exciting opportunity to join the senior leadership team at Ayrburn, stepping into a pivotal role at one of the region’s most dynamic and fast-evolving hospitality destinations.

The Bakehouse Ayrburn is more than just a venue - it’s a vibrant, multi-faceted offering spanning café, restaurant, retail, takeaway, and events. We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Head Chef to help shape, lead, and elevate this unique and high-volume operation.

About the Role

As Head Chef, you will lead a diverse team across multiple service streams, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations while driving excellence in customer experience. This is a complex but rewarding role where no two days are the same.

You’ll play a key role in continuing to position The Bakehouse as a standout venue within Ayrburn and the wider community.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and inspiring teams across café, restaurant, bakery, pastry & pizza
• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the kitchen, including adhering to internal and external policies and procedures.
• Driving a high-performance culture focused on exceptional customer experience & food quality
• Working closely with senior leadership to deliver on strategic goals
• Identifying opportunities for growth, improvement, and innovation
• Assist with menu development and execution.
• Have business acumen and understand financials, food and labour budgets etc.
• People management including recruitment, training, performance management and succession planning.
• Be a subject matter expert, understand food trends and do market research.
• Recognise when maintenance is required on kitchen equipment and communicate accordingly.
• Coordinate and complete monthly stocktakes.
• Ensure health and safety is always at the forefront.
• Ensure all kitchen logs are completely accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure the kitchen has a high level of cleanliness at all times.
• Control wage costs and rosters in line with budget.
• Manage stock and operating expenses efficiently.

About You

• An experienced hospitality professional with a minimum of 2 years' experience as a Head Chef in a high-volume venue
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-functional teams
• Highly organised, adaptable, and solutions-focused
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Why Join Us?

• A unique opportunity to be part of the senior leadership team at Ayrburn
• Work across a diverse and exciting hospitality offering
• Play a key role in shaping a flagship venue within a growing community
• Real career progression and development opportunities

If you’re ready to take the next step in your hospitality career and be part of something truly special, we’d love to hear from you.

Applicants must have full NZ working rights. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.