Executive Chef

Confidential Company

A leading healthy F&B brand is seeking a talented Executive Chef to lead all operations within their Central Production Kitchen in Abu Dhabi. This role is ideal for a strategic and detail-oriented chef who thrives in high-volume, health-focused food production. You will oversee everything from menu innovation and recipe costing to large-scale food preparation and team leadership, ensuring consistent quality and efficient output across all outlets and catering events.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and implement production strategies aligned with company goals.
• Lead kitchen operations for efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Oversee budget, cost control, and recipe standardization.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and HACCP standards.

Production & Dispatch

• Manage central kitchen workflows, packing, and dispatch for daily operations.
• Design and execute production and packing schedules to meet demand.
• Liaise with distribution teams to ensure on-time deliveries.

Menu Development

• Lead the creation of healthy, scalable menus including gluten-free, vegan, and plant-based options.
• Maintain profitability through detailed recipe costing.
• Collaborate with leadership on menu innovation.

Food Quality & Safety

• Ensure quality checks from raw materials to final product.
• Monitor storage, hygiene, and packing conditions.
• Conduct regular audits and tastings to maintain high standards.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, and manage kitchen and packing staff.
• Lead daily and weekly team meetings to align on goals.
• Create a strong team culture focused on performance and improvement.

Financial Oversight

• Track food cost, yield, and inventory.
• Provide regular financial and operational reporting to the CEO and management team.

Requirements

• Proven experience as Executive Chef in a central or high-volume production kitchen.
• Strong background in health-forward culinary concepts (e.g. gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free).
• Solid understanding of kitchen operations, cold-chain logistics, and food safety protocols.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent financial and operational acumen.
• Comfortable working under pressure and managing multiple shifts.