Chef/Production Manager

A stunning Plant-Forward Cafe in Cape Town is looking for a 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗙/𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥 to join their team.

They’re looking for a skilled and creative Cafe Chef / Production Manager to run the Central Processing Kitchen (CPK). This role is all about keeping production smooth, efficient, and exciting. From juices and batch-prepped foods to catering, wholesale, and online orders. You’ll oversee daily operations, lead a small team, and bring fresh, on-trend ideas to life for the cafés and customers.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in kitchen/production management across multi-channel operations (catering, wholesale, online, cafés).
• Strong skills in recipe costing, budgeting, and financial planning.
• Ability to forecast demand, manage yields, and reduce wastage.
• Creative flair and knowledge of global café trends.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• POS & inventory software experience with MarketMan/Ikentoo highly preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage production of juices, batch foods, catering, wholesale, and online orders.
• Ensure top-quality, consistent, and cost-effective output.
• Oversee budgets, track costs, and drive profitability across all product lines.
• Monitor COS% and GP% and report on financial performance.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and improve efficiency.
• Build strong supplier relationships and oversee market runs.
• Lead and support café managers and CPK staff.
• Handle stock, POS, and recipe costing with MarketMan/Ikentoo.
• Develop viral, Instagrammable food & drinks (think matcha, açai and more).
• Maintain brand standards, food safety, and hygiene at all times.

WHY JOIN?

• Be at the heart of an innovative, health-conscious food brand.
• Take full ownership of financial and operational performance of the CPK.
• Lead operations while creating trendy, shareable food & drinks.
• Work in a dynamic role that blends management with creativity.

This is a live-out role.