Culinary Team Lead - Food Innovation Hub

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health insurance

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art culinary facilities

Hybrid work model

Paid time off

Retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Culinary Team Lead in Polokwane, blending in-lab experimentation with strategic planning to drive new food concepts.

You will lead a small team of chefs and culinary technicians, oversee the product development lifecycle from ideation to prototype, and ensure top quality, safety, and market relevance across sensory evaluations and scale-up processes. This hybrid role offers opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic, R&D-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of culinary experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role within R&D, product development, or a high-volume catering/restaurant setting.
• Strong understanding of food science, recipe development, and scaling principles.
• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with sensory evaluation techniques and data analysis is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of culinary professionals in the development of new food products and recipes.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and formulation to testing and refinement.
• Develop innovative and commercially viable food concepts and menu items.
• Conduct sensory analysis and consumer testing to gather feedback and guide product improvements.
• Ensure adherence to quality control standards, food safety regulations, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, marketing, and production teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Manage culinary lab resources, equipment, and ingredient inventory.
• Stay updated on emerging food trends, ingredients, and culinary technologies.
• Document recipes, processes, and test results meticulously.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the culinary innovation pipeline.

Skills

Leadership

Food science

Recipe development

Sensory analysis

Team mentorship

Project management

Communication

Quality control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Food Science

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking food development company based in Polokwane, is seeking an innovative and experienced Culinary Team Lead. This hybrid role is perfect for a chef passionate about food science, recipe development, and leading a creative team. You will spearhead the development of new food products and concepts, conduct sensory evaluations, and ensure the highest standards of culinary execution in a research and development setting. The Team Lead will manage a small team of chefs and culinary technicians, fostering an environment of creativity, collaboration, and efficiency. Responsibilities include menu engineering, recipe scaling, and ensuring product quality from concept to prototype. This position offers the exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of food innovation, contributing to groundbreaking culinary projects. The successful candidate will possess a strong technical culinary background, excellent leadership skills, and a keen understanding of market trends. Our client emphasizes a blend of in-lab experimentation and strategic planning, making this a dynamic and rewarding role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of culinary professionals in the development of new food products and recipes.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and formulation to testing and refinement.
• Develop innovative and commercially viable food concepts and menu items.
• Conduct sensory analysis and consumer testing to gather feedback and guide product improvements.
• Ensure adherence to quality control standards, food safety regulations, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, marketing, and production teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Manage culinary lab resources, equipment, and ingredient inventory.
• Stay updated on emerging food trends, ingredients, and culinary technologies.
• Document recipes, processes, and test results meticulously.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the culinary innovation pipeline.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of culinary experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role within R&D, product development, or a high-volume catering/restaurant setting.
• Strong understanding of food science, recipe development, and scaling principles.
• Proven ability to innovate and create unique culinary concepts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Experience with sensory evaluation techniques and data analysis is a plus.
• Proficiency in food safety and sanitation standards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with various cooking techniques and global cuisines.
• A passion for culinary exploration and a creative mindset.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance.
• Opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art culinary research facilities in Polokwane.
• A creative and collaborative work environment focused on innovation.
• Flexible working arrangements within a hybrid model.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Contribution to retirement fund.