Head chef

Head Chef / Kitchen Manager – New Melbourne CBD Café

Full-time salaried position | Five-day roster$90,000–$100,000 + superannuation We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to lead the kitchen at an exciting new café in Melbourne’s CBD, 50-70 seats.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can build and develop a strong kitchen team, deliver consistently high-quality food and run an organised, commercially successful operation.

You’ll have genuine input into the café’s breakfast and lunch menus, along with the authority and support to establish effective kitchen systems and culture from the beginning.

The role

Reporting directly to the owner, you’ll be responsible for the overall operation and performance of the kitchen. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, supporting and developing an initial kitchen team of approximately 5–10 staff

• Managing daily preparation and breakfast and lunch services

• Developing the menus and introducing seasonal changes

• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and portion control

• Managing food costs, gross profit and overall kitchen profitability

• Ordering, stock control and supplier relationships

• Preparing rosters and managing kitchen labour costs

• Reducing waste and implementing efficient kitchen systems

• Maintaining food-safety, allergen and workplace-safety compliance

• Training and mentoring junior chefs and kitchen staff

• Maintaining a clean, organised and professional kitchen

• Working closely with the owner and front-of-house team to deliver an excellent customer experience

• Creating a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture

This is a practical leadership role. You’ll be actively involved in preparation and service while also managing the people, systems and commercial performance behind the kitchen.

About you

You’re an organised and confident kitchen leader who remains calm during busy services and enjoys working alongside the team. Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader in a busy café, restaurant, pub or similar hospitality venue

• Strong leadership and team-management skills

• Experience developing and delivering quality breakfast and lunch menus

• Strong knowledge of food costing, gross-profit management and kitchen profitability

• The ability to manage busy services without compromising quality or consistency

• A sound understanding of ordering, stock control and waste reduction

• Strong organisation, planning and time-management skills

• Up-to-date knowledge of food safety, allergen management and workplace-safety requirements

• A current Food Safety Supervisor certificate, or willingness to obtain one

• A Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery, or equivalent practical industry experience

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the owner and wider venue team

• A genuine passion for hospitality and quality food

• Unrestricted working rights in Australia

What we offer

• A full-time salaried position paying $90,000–$100,000 plus superannuation

• A five-day working week

• Genuine autonomy with direct support from the owner

• Meaningful creative input into the breakfast and lunch menus

• The opportunity to establish the kitchen’s systems, standards and culture

• The opportunity to recruit, lead and develop your kitchen team

• A professional and collaborative working environment

• A key role in the launch and continued growth of a new Melbourne CBD café

Apply

If you’re ready to lead a new Melbourne café kitchen and build something you’re proud of, we’d like to hear from you. Please apply with your résumé and a brief introduction outlining your relevant experience, approach to kitchen leadership and availability.