Kitchen Manager / Head Chef – Full Time
Fins & Ribs | Manly Beach, NSW
Fins & Ribs is a busy beachfront restaurant in the heart of Manly, serving quality seafood, oysters, ribs, steaks, gourmet burgers and pasta. We are looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager / Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and maintain the high standards our customers expect.
This is a leadership role for someone who can run the kitchen independently — managing the team, food quality, costs and day-to-day operations — while reporting to ownership on the overall direction of the venue. Ideal for someone who enjoys leading a team and delivering consistent, high-quality food in a fast-paced environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the daily operation of the kitchen and ensure smooth service through lunch and dinner.
- Prepare and supervise production across our full menu — seafood, oysters, fish & chips, prawns, ribs, steaks, burgers, pasta, schnitzels, salads, starters, desserts and seasonal specials.
- Lead, train and motivate the kitchen team to maintain consistency, efficiency and high food quality.
- Ensure all dishes are prepared and presented to Fins & Ribs' recipes, portion standards and plating guides.
- Ensure premium seafood and meat are stored, rotated, prepared and served to food safety standards.
- Manage kitchen workflow and coordination between grill, fryer, salad and pass sections during busy service.
- Plan prep lists and coordinate daily production for efficient kitchen operations.
- Monitor stock levels, place orders, liaise with suppliers and conduct regular stocktakes.
- Control food costs, manage GP and minimise waste through portion control and stock rotation.
- Assist management with new menu items, seasonal specials, lunch promotions and function/catering menus (seafood platters, canapés, group packages).
- Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and WHS regulations at all times.
- Maintain a clean, organised and well-maintained kitchen.
- Assist with recruitment, onboarding, rostering and performance management of kitchen staff.
ABOUT YOU
- Minimum 1.5 years' experience in a similar role (Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Senior Sous Chef).
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Excellent knowledge of kitchen operations, food costing and stock control.
- Experience in busy restaurants with high service standards; seafood and grill experience highly regarded.
- Calm under pressure with strong organisational skills.
- Passionate about quality food and building a positive team culture.
- Available to work weekends, evenings and public holidays.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary package based on experience.
- Full-time, stable position with long-term career opportunities.
- Supportive management with the autonomy to run the kitchen.
- Prime beachfront location in Manly.
- Staff meals and employee discounts.
- Visa sponsorship possible for the right candidate.
If you're an experienced kitchen leader who takes pride in quality, consistency and teamwork, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now with your resume and help us continue delivering exceptional dining experiences at Fins & Ribs.
Pay: From $60,378.18 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free drinks
- Free food
- Visa sponsorship
Work Location: In person
