Job Purpose

Responsible for the management of the kitchen operations and team within an area of the business unit (including a range of restaurant outlets and / or banqueting operations), with specific regard to:

• maximising revenue potential in specific outlets
• improving of standards of operation (including health, hygiene, safety and environmental standards)
• provide recommendations for innovative culinary products; enhancements and production
• control of kitchen operating equipment and stock
• control of kitchen spend and wastage
• team management
• implementation of culinary operational efforts to achieve the unit’s strategies and objectives

Key Performance Areas

Delivered Culinary Plan &Results

• In collaboration with the Executive Chef, develop outlet objectives and deliverables in line with the Culinary strategy
• Facilitate the communication and implementation of Culinary deliverables for the outlet
• Provide clear delegation of authority and accountability for deliverables
• Manage and allocate people and operational resources
• Communicate plans relative to promotions and strategies to relevant
• staff and stakeholders within the unit
• Align plans with EE, SD and procurement transformation strategies which contribute towards BBBEE targets being achieved for the property

Shift management

• Put in place staff scheduling and duty allocations to ensure coverage
• Handle shift briefings / handovers / shift reports
• Manage the preparation of mise-en-place
• Complete opening and closing checklists
• Interact and be present on the floor during service to ensure food quality and presentation in line with standards
• Handle any special requests, special requirements, recommendations, concerns, resolution of complaints, issues experienced during service etc.
• Manage staff appearance and kitchen appearance/ functioning of equipment and systems for the outlet
• Report and resolve any issues experienced
• Monitor the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen before, during and after service

Reporting

• Completes shift reports
• Produce a 10-day / 20-day and monthly food cost report
• Contributes to month-end financial reports for the outlet (Budget vs revenue, food cost, etc)
• Audit food safety standards to ensure outlet compliance with relevant legislation regulations

Culinary Standards & Governance

• Conduct maintenance and hygiene inspections in all areas of the kitchen
• Monitor health, safety, hygiene and environmental elements in the outlet
• Manage the control and storage of stock and operating equipment as per SOP for the outlet
• Investigate variances / discrepancies and take necessary action to correct
• Monitor Culinary standards and processes
• Control waste for the outlet
• Work with internal stakeholders (maintenance, finance, HR, and security) to identify risk areas and address these

Financial control

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to complete the planning for the Budget and forecasts for the outlet
• Motivate and manage Capex requirements for the outlet
• Authorise spend in line with budget
• Food recipe – All menu item food recipes to be documented, updated and captured into the system MC or IFS to ensure accurate food theoretical.
• Manage the conducting of accurate stock takes for the outlet in line with Company process. Report on any variances for the outlet
• Report on staffing and productivities
• Monitor departmental leave liability
• Check all outlet staff wages / spend are in line with budget as a % of revenue; maintain productivity ratios of performance for line staff

People Management

• Manage staff conditions of employment, e.g. attendance, absenteeism, leave, adherence to policies and procedures
• Manage productivities and payroll costs for the outlet
• Identification of employee training needs
• Perform on the job training and coaching to close developmental gaps and build succession for a talent pipeline within the outlet
• Manage employee relations within the department
• Staff communication and motivation
• Performance contracting, reviews and development
• Provides resources and removes obstacles to performance
• Recruit and resource for talent for positions within the department
• Onboarding of new staff members

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Liaise with F&B on food and beverage offering, menus and services in the various outlets
• Inform and update staff on objectives, shift information, VIP information, changes in regulations and the business requirements
• Communicates department’s objectives, standards and operating procedures to internal and external service providers as per SLA

Requirements

Education

• 3-Year Culinary Diploma or equivalent National Culinary Qualification at a Diploma level

Experience

• 5-6 years’ experience and track record in a similarly graded hotel / restaurant kitchen environment of which at least 2 years’ experience must have been as a Sous Chef
• Demonstrated ability to make use of intermediate computer skills

Skills and Knowledge

Core behavioural competencies

• Decision-making – use of initiative
• Learning – training; coaching; staying abreast of industry developments
• Implementing and co-ordinating – organizing people; non-people resources
• Numeracy and calculation skills
• Analysing and diagnosing – numerical information; trends in data
• Problem-solving
• Making fine judgements through the senses viz colour, taste, texture

Technical / proficiency competencies

Knowledge

• Food Costing
• Culinary Product Knowledge
• Kitchen Operational Management
• Labour legislation
• Environmental and sustainability standards

Skills

• PC skills
• Coaching
• Cooking methodologies