Sous Chef

Novotel; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Novotel Rotorua Lakeside is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in daily kitchen operations across our restaurants, functions and hotel events. You will lead the kitchen team during service and ensure high-quality food presentation.

Join a hospitality-driven team in Rotorua, with opportunities to contribute to menu development and training of junior chefs, while maintaining cost control and food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience as Sous Chef or in a supervisory chef role.
• Passion for food and hospitality.
• Strong leadership and teamwork abilities.
• Availability to work across a 7-day operation, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations alongside the Head Chef.
• Lead and supervise the kitchen team during service.
• Prepare and present high-quality food consistently.
• Assist with menu development and seasonal offerings.
• Maintain food quality, presentation and portion control.

Skills

Sous Chef experience

Leadership

Food safety

Organised

Job description

Company Description

Novotel & Ibis Rotorua Lakeside

Novotel & Ibis Rotorua Lakesideis looking for an experienced and passionateSous Chefto join our kitchen team.This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated chef who enjoys working in a busy resort environment and takes pride in delivering high-quality food and supporting a strong kitchen team.

About Us

Novotel & Ibis Rotorua Lakeside offer the perfect balance of business and leisure, welcoming guests from around New Zealand and around the world. Our team is passionate about creating memorable experiences through genuine hospitality, teamwork, and heartfelt service.

Ifyou'reready to take the next step in your hospitality career and lead a team that loves what they do,we'dlove to hear from you.

Job Description

About the Role

As Sous Chef, you will work closely with the Head Chef to oversee the day-to-day operation of the kitchen across our restaurants,functionsandhoteloperations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Head Chef with the daily kitchen operation
• Leading and supervising the kitchen team during service
• Preparing and presenting high-quality food consistently
• Assistingwith menu development and seasonal offerings
• Ensuring food quality, presentation andportioncontrol are maintained
• Managing food preparation and service requirements
• Monitoring food costs,wastageand stock levels
• Ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are consistently followed
• Training and developing junior chefs and kitchen team members
• Assistingwith rostering and daily staff allocationMaintaining a clean,organisedand safe kitchen
• Supporting functions,conferencesand otherhotelevents
• Stepping into the Head Chef's role whenrequired

Qualifications

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced Chef withprevioussupervisory or Sous Chef experience
• Passionate about food and hospitality
• A strong teamleader who can motivate and develop others
• Calm and organised under pressure
• Reliable,professionaland hands-on
• Able tomaintainhigh standardsduring busy service periods
• Knowledgeable about food safety and kitchen compliance
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of food costs and wastage
• Flexible and available to work across a7-day operation, including evenings,weekendsand public holidays

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

At Accor, you'll become part of a global hospitality family with opportunities to learn, grow, and build your career.

As a Heartist®, you'll enjoy:

• A supportive and inclusive team environment.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Career progression across Accor hotels locally and internationally.
• Staff accommodation and dining discounts through the ALL Heartist programme.
• Access to employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.

If you enjoy making a difference through the little details and love creating memorable experiences for guests, we'd love to hear from you.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:We are an inclusive company, and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent. We offer reasonable adjustments to support you. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, you're welcome to let us know.