SENIOR SOUS CHEF

Harvest Restaurant; Rapaura; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvest Restaurant is seeking a Senior Sous Chef to lead the daily kitchen operations at The Marlborough Estate. This hands-on role requires taking ownership of the kitchen, running prep and service independently, and ensuring consistent quality.

You will supervise and coach junior chefs, manage stock, and place food orders while maintaining rigorous food safety and hygiene standards. Collaboration with Front of House is essential for seamless service.

Qualifications

• A recognized culinary qualification or substantial professional chef experience.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant chef experience.
• Previous senior kitchen experience such as Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie.
• Proven ability to independently run a kitchen section and service.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation.
• Lead preparation and service independently.
• Ensure kitchen is fully prepared and organized before each service.
• Manage workflow and station turnover during service.
• Ensure dishes are prepared and presented to the required standard.
• Supervise, direct and develop kitchen team members.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff supervision

Food safety

Inventory management

Time management

Kitchen operations

Education

Culinary qualification

3+ years chef experience

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.

As Senior Sous Chef, you will be responsible for independently managing the daily kitchen operation of a new casual dining restaurant at The Marlborough Estate. This is a hands-on leadership role for a chef who is comfortable taking ownership of a kitchen operation and running service independently. You will report to the Head Chef and Executive Chef at HARVEST Restaurant, who will provide overall culinary direction, support and guidance.

Key responsibilities

• Taking ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation
• Running preparation and service independently
• Ensuring the kitchen is fully prepared and organized prior to each service
• Managing kitchen workflow throughout service
• Ensuring all dishes are prepared and presented consistently to the required standard
• Supervising and directing kitchen team members
• Training, coaching and supporting junior chefs and kitchen team members
• Managing stock levels and completing food ordering
• Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards
• Coordinating closely with the Front of House team to ensure efficient service

About you

• A recognized culinary qualification or substantial relevant professional chef experience
• At least 3 years of relevant professional chef experience
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef, Senior Chef de Partie or equivalent senior kitchen position
• Proven experience independently running a kitchen section or service
• Experience supervising and directing other chefs
• Strong knowledge of professional kitchen operations
• Experience with food ordering, stock control and inventory management
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene and allergen management
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong communication and leadership skills

About us

Our new casual dining restaurant will offer a more relaxed style of dining while maintaining the same focus on quality ingredients, consistency, strong technique and excellent hospitality that runs throughout The Marlborough Estate. The food philosophy will focus on fresh, seasonal and locally sourced produce, including ingredients grown within our own Estate garden and sourced from Marlborough producers.

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