We are looking for an experienced Senior Chef specializing in Continental cuisine to join our New Product Development team within an airline catering food manufacturing environment. This role involves developing menus and products based on client-provided briefs and product enhancements and taking responsibility for implementing and scaling up new products for production while ensuring consistent quality and alignment with the BRC certification and food manufacturing processes.

The position requires strong administrative and communications skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects. Daily interaction with internal stakeholders and airline clients. The candidate should be open-minded and willing to embrace changes and new challenges.

Key Result Areas:

Ensure that all assigned production staff carry out their duties in a set time frame in order to maintain continuity of workflow and to prevent any subsequent delays in operations
Shares responsibility with ESC and deputes in his absence for compliance of all policies/ procedures/ rules/ regulations of the kitchen
Supervise staff in the implementation process in their section, report any non-conformance. Propose solutions if it cannot be corrected immediately. Ensure that Sous chefs and Junior staff follow all developed specifications in terms of portion size, quantity and quality
Check and ensure that the dishing is correct in weight, presentation and items are prepared as per airline specifications, and food products are color coded with dates
Manages production, processes and schedules in assigned areas in accordance with policies, regulations, specifications, recipes and requirements applying effective controls
While handling daily operational activities find solution to problems and take corrective action before they occur and ensure that the Executive Sous Chefs are kept informed about the daily production, problems encountered and actions taken
Manage material, staff and equipment in most effective manner to ensure on time high-quality deliveries in strict adherence to all the laid down procedures
Manage any issues, focusing on products, equipment, labor topics and material management, coach team on proactive attempt at solutions
Conduct daily tasting panels, checks, cascades, briefings and reports as and when applicable in an organized and responsible manner.
Strictly implement procedures to ensure recipe compliance at all times while actively promoting innovative ideas for cost-reduction without compromising on quality
Address customer expectations and issues effectively and suggests long-term solutions to any anomalies or improvement ideas reported or observed
Prepare, update and maintain production sheets including separate breakdowns for EK and other airlines for the production and assembly staff
Understands the lean manufacturing standards established by EKFC and support the efforts on the shift to deploy and maintain the best practices that will reduce or eliminate the 7 areas of waste in operation

Qualifications:

Minimum of 6 years experience in the culinary field
Knowledge and experience of food products and processes in a facility with extensive in-house production.
Continental Cuisine experience is a MUST.
Excellent knowledge and understanding of all aspects of cooking in various cuisines
Experience in creating recipes, menu development and costing
Demonstrated leadership skills to efficiently manage a large multi-national workforce
Hotel Catering equivalent in 5-star facility with an excellent knowledge in all aspects of cooking and different cuisines
Previous experience in high volume a la carte and / or banqueting in a large kitchen team preferential.

Skills:

Ability to provide feedback and coaching
Ability to develop himself / herself in the current role and beyond
Willingness to take on responsibility
Effective delegation skills
Problem solving and decision-making ability in real time, creative and out of box thinking
Strong organizational skills, effective Training and communication skills

Senior Sous Chef - NPD (Continental cuisine)