Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

Phoenix Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Recruitment presents a busy day-time restaurant in Rosebank seeking a Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to oversee back-of-house operations, blending culinary leadership with business administration.

You will lead, train, and motivate the kitchen team while controlling quality, stock, and safety, ensuring a profitable, high-volume operation with outstanding service.

Competitive salary offered; role requires 3+ years in a similar position and a formal culinary qualification.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years in a head chef/kitchen manager role.
• Formal culinary qualification required.
• Strong attention to detail and a passion for quality and organisation.
• Ability to lead back-of-house operations and drive high standards.
• Experience in bakery, kitchen, or food production environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food prep and presentation; manage service flow.
• Hire, train, schedule, and motivate kitchen staff.
• Order stock; manage suppliers; conduct stock counts; monitor food and labour budgets.
• Design dishes, test recipes, and calculate food costs.
• Enforce hygiene rules, food safety, and equipment maintenance.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Attention to detail

Food safety

Staff performance

Inventory management

Education

Formal culinary qualification

Grade 12

Job description

Busy day-time Restaurant based in Rosebank is looking for a Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to oversees all back-of-house operations, combining culinary leadership with business administration.

You will manage food quality, staff performance, inventory, and safety compliance to ensure a profitable and efficient kitchen.

Duties:

• Oversee food prep, maintain high taste and presentation standards, and manage service flow.
• Hire, train, schedule, and motivate the kitchen crew.
• Order stock, manage suppliers, conduct stock counts, and monitor food and labour budgets.
• Design new dishes, test recipes, and calculate food costs.
• Enforce hygiene rules, food safety laws, and equipment maintenance.

Requirements:

• Grade 12
• Formal culinary qualification
• At least 3+ years’ experience in a similar position
• Strong attention to detail and a genuine passion for quality and organisation.
• Proven ability to follow recipes accurately and work neatly and efficiently.Experience in a bakery, kitchen, or food production environment
• Reliability; initiative, and a proactive “owner’s mindset” even when working independently.
• Commitment to hygiene, food safety, and high service standards.

Head Chef / Kitchen Manager Rosebank, Gauteng, ZA