Kitchen Manager
Ready to lead a high-energy kitchen operation in the fast-paced grocery retail sector? This is your chance to manage everything from hot food production to deli items and baked goods, ensuring every product that leaves the kitchen meets exceptional quality standards. You'll oversee daily operations, lead a team of kitchen staff, and keep everything running smoothly whilst maintaining rigorous food safety standards and cost control.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee daily food preparation and production, including hot foods, deli items, and baked goods
- Ensure all meals and products consistently meet quality, taste, and presentation standards
- Plan production schedules based on customer demand and sales trends
- Supervise kitchen staff including cooks, assistants, and cleaners, creating rosters and managing attendance
- Train employees on food preparation techniques, hygiene protocols, and safety standards
- Manage ingredient and supply stock levels, ordering in line with sales forecasts and budgets
- Conduct regular stock counts and control shrinkage and waste through portion monitoring
- Ensure compliance with South African health and safety regulations and HACCP principles
- Conduct routine cleanliness checks and maintain high hygiene standards throughout the kitchen
- Monitor food displays to ensure they're attractive, fresh, and well-stocked
- Respond to customer queries and complaints regarding food products
- Work with store management to implement promotions and drive sales
- Monitor food costs, wastage, and kitchen expenses within set budgets
- Ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained and functioning properly
- Proven experience managing kitchen operations in a retail or food service environment
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and train a diverse team
- Knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards, and HACCP principles
- Excellent organisational and time-management abilities
- Solid understanding of food costing, inventory control, and budgeting
- Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure and maintain standards during peak periods
- Knowledge of South African health and safety food regulations
- This role demands someone who can juggle multiple priorities, lead with confidence, and deliver consistently high-quality results in a busy retail kitchen environment.