Culinary Operations Director — Luxury Resort Leader

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Accommodation assistance

Performance bonuses

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Culinary Operations for a prestigious five-star luxury resort in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. This executive role oversees all culinary activities across fine-dining, banqueting, room service and staff canteens, shaping the culinary vision and maintaining top-tier quality.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in high-end culinary leadership, strong cost controls, and proven ability to manage large-scale operations in a luxury hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma from a recognized culinary institute is essential.
• 8–10 years progressive culinary experience, with 5+ years in a Director/Executive Chef role in luxury hospitality.
• Proven track record managing multiple food outlets and large-scale banqueting.
• Ability to control food and labour costs while maintaining exceptional quality.
• Strong leadership, team-building and motivational skills.
• Deep knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Excellent financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Creative flair with passion for innovative cuisine.
• Proactive organisational and time-management abilities.
• Willingness to relocate to Mossel Bay and work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a culinary vision aligned with luxury positioning.
• Oversee daily operations of all resort kitchens, ensuring quality and hygiene.
• Mentor diverse team of chefs and kitchen staff to foster excellence.
• Develop menus for outlets, seasons, and event catering with profitability in mind.
• Control food and labour costs and manage inventory to hit budget targets.
• Implement HACCP and local sanitation standards across kitchens.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate favorable terms.
• Collaborate with F&B Director and other heads for seamless guest experiences.
• Oversee training and development to promote growth within the team.
• Contribute to strategic planning and financial success of the F&B division.

Skills

Leadership

Cost control

Food safety knowledge

Financial acumen

Staff development

Education

Degree or Diploma in Culinary Arts

Tools

MS Office

F&B management software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Culinary Operations for a prestigious five-star luxury resort in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. This executive role oversees all culinary activities across fine-dining, banqueting, room service and staff canteens, shaping the culinary vision and maintaining top-tier quality.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in high-end culinary leadership, strong cost controls, and proven ability to manage large-scale operations in a luxury hospitality setting.