Senior Kitchen Manager - Fourways

Restaurant Careers; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Restaurant Careers is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead all back-of-house operations in Johannesburg. This permanent role demands strong culinary operations expertise, cost control, HACCP compliance, and people development, with a hands-on leadership style.

The position offers career growth in a fast-growing food service business and requires ensuring exceptional food quality and customer experience. The role is based in Johannesburg, with negotiable ZAR salary, and requires flexibility

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or similar leadership role.
• Proven experience managing high-volume commercial kitchen operations.
• Strong knowledge of food costing, stock control, labour management, and kitchen systems.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing multicultural teams.
• Thorough understanding of food safety, HACCP, hygiene, and workplace safety standards.
• Strong English communication, reporting, and operational planning skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily kitchen operations within a high-volume environment.
• Ensure food quality, consistency, portion control, and service standards are maintained.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop kitchen staff.
• Drive a positive, accountable, and high-performance culture.
• Manage food safety, hygiene, HACCP, and workplace compliance requirements.
• Control food costs, inventory, purchasing, and wastage.
• Implement operational systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support menu execution, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Kitchen management

High-volume kitchen operations

Food costing

Stock control

Labour management

HACCP & food safety

English communication

Operational planning

Flexibility

Education

Culinary or hospitality management qualification

Job description

Kitchen Manager

Posted 15 October 2026

Salary ZAR Negotiable

Start date 15 October 2026

Location Johannesburg

Job type Permanent

Discipline Food and Beverage

Reference Job Function Executive Chef

Our client is a fast-growing food service business dedicated to delivering high‑quality food, operational excellence, and exceptional customer experience. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to continuous improvement, the client is building a high‑performing team capable of supporting an expanding customer base across Fiji. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and entrepreneurial organization where innovation, leadership, and results are recognized and rewarded. We are seeking an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead all back‑of‑house operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, compliance, cost control, and team performance. This hands‑on leadership role is ideal for a hospitality professional who combines strong culinary operations expertise with commercial acumen and a passion for developing people. This position is located in Fiji.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily kitchen operations within a high‑volume environment.
• Ensure food quality, consistency, portion control, and service standards are maintained.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop kitchen staff.
• Drive a positive, accountable, and high‑performance culture.
• Manage food safety, hygiene, HACCP, and workplace compliance requirements.
• Control food costs, inventory, purchasing, and wastage.
• Implement operational systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support menu execution, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications & Skill Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or similar leadership role.
• Proven experience managing high‑volume commercial kitchen operations.
• Strong knowledge of food costing, stock control, labour management, and kitchen systems.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing multicultural teams.
• Thorough understanding of food safety, HACCP, hygiene, and workplace safety standards.
• Strong English communication, reporting, and operational planning skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays.

Preferred Experience

• International hospitality, QSR, franchise, or food manufacturing experience.
• Experience opening new restaurants or commissioning food operations.
• Formal culinary or hospitality management qualification.
• Experience working in developing or emerging markets.
• Proven ability to train and develop local teams.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; age; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; religion; national origin; disability; veteran status; genetic information; or any other criteria protected by governing law.