Executive Chef

Edge Executive Search Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality recruitment firm is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary operations at a high-volume hotel in Johannesburg. This role requires a seasoned kitchen leader with 5-7 years of hotel or high-volume kitchen experience. The Executive Chef will drive menu innovation, maintain compliance with safety regulations, and manage a team of chefs to deliver high-quality dishes. Candidates should have strong leadership skills and a culinary diploma. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years’ experience in hotel or high-volume kitchen operations.
• Minimum 3 years in a senior role (Sous Chef, Head Chef, Executive Chef).
• Strong stock, supplier, and financial management capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full kitchen brigade across all outlets.
• Oversee daily production, quality control, standards, and service readiness.
• Drive menu innovation and elevate food standards.

Skills

Menu creation

HACCP knowledge

Leadership skills

High-volume kitchen operations

Education

Culinary Diploma or Professional Cookery qualification

Job description

EXECUTIVE CHEF | Klerksdorp, North West | Permanent

Lead the full culinary operation of a dynamic, high-volume hotel environment. This role requires a seasoned kitchen leader who can balance creativity, quality, cost control, and operational discipline.

As the Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary functions across multiple outlets, including restaurants, room service, and banqueting. You will drive menu innovation, elevate food standards, streamline production, and ensure absolute compliance with hygiene and safety regulations. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume operations.

Our client is a respected hotel group known for delivering consistent guest experiences across its properties. The kitchen environment is structured, quality-driven, and requires a leader who can mentor teams while maintaining commercial focus.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage the full kitchen brigade across all outlets.

• Oversee daily production, quality control, standards, and service readiness.

• Ensure consistency in plating, taste, and presentation.

• Manage rosters, shift structures, and kitchen workflow.

• Develop creative, seasonal menus for à la carte, room service, functions, and banqueting.

• Implement accurate menu costing, food cost controls, and waste-management systems.

• Enforce HACCP, OHSA, hygiene, and cold-chain compliance.

• Conduct inspections, audits, and ongoing compliance checks.

• Drive stock control, ordering, supplier management, and variance reporting.

• Recruit, mentor, train, and develop chefs at all levels.

• Oversee large-scale banqueting events ranging from 200–500 pax.

• Collaborate with F&B and events teams on planning and execution.

• Manage food cost, labour cost, and operational budgets.

• Strengthen systems for portion control, waste reduction, and operational efficiency.

What You Bring

• Culinary Diploma or Professional Cookery qualification.

• 5–7 years’ experience in hotel or high-volume kitchen operations.

• Minimum 3 years in a senior role (Sous Chef, Head Chef, Executive Chef).

• Strong banqueting, production, and high-volume service experience.

• Proven skill in menu creation, menu engineering, and food costing.

• Comprehensive HACCP, food safety, and OHSA knowledge.

• Experience leading and developing a full kitchen brigade.

• Strong stock, supplier, and financial management capability.

• Excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills.

• Ability to operate under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent delivery of high-quality dishes across all outlets.

• Well-run kitchen operations with strong team morale and accountability.

• Accurate cost control, low waste, and efficient production systems.

• Strong compliance culture with zero hygiene or safety failures.

• Seamless execution of banqueting and high-volume events.

• A motivated, skilled, and performance-driven culinary team.