Job Description
The Group Executive Chef will take ownership of the culinary direction across the portfolio, ensuring a consistent, high-quality food offering that aligns with the group’s vision. This is a genuinely hands-on leadership role, requiring a balance of creativity, operational excellence and commercial acumen.
Working closely with venue leadership teams, you will drive menu innovation, improve execution standards and embed systems that enhance both performance and consistency across all kitchens.
Key responsibilities include:
- Establish and lead the group-wide culinary vision, standards and menu philosophy
- Drive seasonal menu development, innovation and venue-specific positioning
- Maintain a strong on-the-ground presence, coaching teams and lifting execution
- Oversee food cost management, menu engineering and supplier strategy
- Implement and refine SOPs, recipe costing and cross-venue quality control systems
Candidate Profile
You are an experienced culinary leader with a strong track record across multi-site operations. Equally comfortable in premium casual and high-volume environments, you bring a hands-on approach, commercial maturity and a passion for developing high-performing teams.
You lead from the front, build respect in kitchens and understand how to balance creativity with disciplined operational management.
Key attributes include:
- Proven experience leading multiple venues or large-scale culinary operations
- Strong understanding of both restaurant and café formats
- Demonstrated success in improving food cost, margins and kitchen systems
- Hands-on leadership style with a focus on mentoring and team development
- Commercially astute, organised and accountable with a calm, professional approach
Offer
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role with genuine influence across a respected hospitality group. You will be supported by engaged ownership and a business committed to long-term investment in food, people and innovation.
Salary is commensurate with experience and negotiable for the right candidate.
To learn more about this role, submit your CV or contact Lee via lee@hastingspeople.com.au for a confidential discussion.
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