Remote Executive Sous Chef - Menu Development Specialist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Professional development opportunities

Creative autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Executive Sous Chef specializing in menu development to lead culinary innovation for meal kit subscriptions. You will design, test, and refine scalable recipes suitable for home cooks and production, while ensuring consistent quality and cost control.

As a remote team member, you will collaborate with suppliers, production, and marketing to bring new menus from concept to delivery, maintain precise recipe documentation, and stay ahead of food trends and safety

Qualifications

• 7+ years of culinary experience with at least 3 years in menu development.
• Proven ability to develop recipes scalable for production and home cooks.
• Strong understanding of food costing, inventory management, and supply chain principles.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, diverse, and cost-effective menus for meal kit offerings.
• Test and refine recipes for home cooking and production scalability.
• Conduct thorough food costing analysis and manage ingredient budgets.
• Source high-quality ingredients through supplier relationships and research.
• Collaborate with culinary team, production staff, and marketing for seamless execution from recipe to delivery.
• Maintain meticulous records of recipes with precise measurements and nutritional information.
• Stay current with food trends, ingredients, and techniques relevant to meal kits.
• Ensure adherence to food safety and sanitation standards throughout the process.
• Provide culinary guidance to remote team members as needed.
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions for new product lines and seasonal menus.

Skills

Menu development

Recipe creation

Food costing

Inventory management

Collaboration tools

Communication

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

Culinary software

Virtual collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding culinary enterprise focused on gourmet meal kits and subscription services, is seeking a talented Remote Executive Sous Chef with a specialization in menu development . This position is crucial for driving culinary innovation and ensuring the consistent quality and appeal of our client's offerings. As a key member of the remote culinary team, you will conceptualize, test, and refine recipes that can be successfully delivered to customers nationwide. This role demands a creative chef with exceptional organizational skills and a deep understanding of food costing, ingredient sourcing, and scalable recipe execution. If you are passionate about creating delicious and accessible culinary experiences from a distance, this is the perfect opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, diverse, and cost-effective menus for meal kit offerings, catering to various dietary needs and preferences.
• Test and refine recipes, ensuring they are suitable for home cooking and scalable for production.
• Conduct thorough food costing analysis for all menu items, managing ingredient budgets effectively.
• Source high-quality ingredients through supplier relationships and research.
• Collaborate with the culinary team, production staff, and marketing to ensure seamless execution from recipe to delivery.
• Maintain meticulous records of recipes, including precise measurements, instructions, and nutritional information.
• Stay current with food trends, emerging ingredients, and culinary techniques relevant to the meal kit industry.
• Ensure adherence to all food safety and sanitation standards throughout the recipe development process.
• Provide culinary guidance and support to remote team members as needed.
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions for new product lines and seasonal menu updates.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of culinary experience, with at least 3 years focused on menu development, recipe creation, or a similar role within the food service or hospitality industry.
• Proven experience in developing recipes that are scalable for production and suitable for home cooks.
• Strong understanding of food costing, inventory management, and supply chain principles.
• Excellent palate, creativity, and a passion for diverse cuisines.
• Proficiency in using culinary software and virtual collaboration tools.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of dietary restrictions and nutritional considerations.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with your experience and specialization.
• As a fully remote position, you will enjoy unparalleled flexibility in your work environment.
• This role provides a unique opportunity to significantly influence the culinary direction of a growing meal kit company and to work with a passionate, distributed team.
• Opportunities for professional development and creative autonomy are key aspects of this position.
• Join a dynamic company at the forefront of convenient, gourmet dining.