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Head Chef
Closing Date
2026/05/29
Reference Number
SAA251003-3
Job Title Head Chef
Division Airchefs
Business Unit Operations Support
Job Type Permanent
Location – Country South Africa
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Town / City Boksburg
Job Purpose
The Head Chef plays a critical leadership role in overseeing Air Chefs’ national culinary operations and management of food production for clients thereby driving the short, medium and long-term sustainability of the organisation. The role is essential in ensuring that production standards i.e. food safety, quality consistency and compliance, in accordance with both local and international standards, are aligned throughout the different catering units and channels throughout the business.
In addition, the role plans, co-ordinates, facilitates and manages the food production processes in collaboration with various departments throughout the manufacturing value chain and ensures optimal availability of resources and materials to support production processes and deployment to extract maximum value while minimising wastage.
The Head Chef manages the productivity of the corporate canteens by creating efficiencies which ensures that low costs are maintained, and profitability is enhanced without compromising on food quality and standards whilst driving sales volumes
Principal Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and implement integrated food production strategies aligned with Air Chefs’ business goals.
Monitor market trends and competitor activity to recommend production improvements.
Draft and enforce policies, procedures, and standards for consistency and compliance.
Lead risk management initiatives and develop mitigation plans.
Track KPIs and revenue targets, and identify best practices for continuous improvement.
Conduct research on culinary trends and technologies to enhance productivity.
Analyze national production budgets and develop cost-effective models.
Provide input into strategic planning and CapEx budgeting.
Plan for equipment upgrades and facility enhancements.
Financial Management
Develop and manage the annual culinary operations budget.
Monitor financial performance and implement cost-saving initiatives.
Ensure budget adherence and respond to variances.
Optimize resource utilization and reduce food wastage.
Food Production Operational Management
Oversee the full food production value chain (cold, hot kitchen, bakery, butchery, Halaal/special meals).
Coordinate raw material availability with Stores to meet production demands.
Ensure recipe consistency, menu quality, and timely dispatch.
Manage inventory, vendor contracts, and SLA compliance.
Address escalated client/vendor issues and implement process improvements.
Ensure audit compliance and stock management system effectiveness.
Compliance and Food Safety
Ensure adherence to HACCP, SHEQ, and food safety regulations.
Lead food safety audits and corrective actions.
Monitor Critical Control Points and raw product yields.
Oversee thawing processes and food safety protocols.
Reporting and Governance
Provide accurate data for executive decision-making.
Submit monthly production and expenditure reports.
Project Management
Lead production-related projects within budget and timelines.
Monitor service delivery and process improvement initiatives.
Asset Management
Maintain asset records and plan for upgrades or replacements.
Safeguard production equipment and company assets.
Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
Promote Air Chefs’ vision across stakeholders.
Collaborate on recipe development and menu feasibility.
Manage client relationships and satisfaction feedback.
Represent Air Chefs at forums and workshops.
People Management
Set and monitor performance standards.
Implement mentorship, training, and career development plans.
Conduct performance reviews and manage recruitment.
Address behavioural issues and foster a supportive team environment.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s Degree (NQF level 7) in Culinary Arts / Food Production / Professional Cookery
12 – 15 years’ experience in a culinary research and development role
At least 5 – 8 years’ team management experience
3 – 5 years’ experience as an Executive Sous Chef in R & D, testing and product development
Experience in relevant software systems
Proven experience in:
Budgeting and budget management
Design and costing of menus
People management
Food Safety and Hygiene Certification – HACCP level 3 or equivalent
Health and Safety Training Certification
Registration with the South African Chef’s Association
Knowledge and Skills
Deep knowledge of international cuisine and dietary regulations
Advanced knowledge of food safety, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) and catering industry standards and systems
Occupational health and safety / SHEQ
Detailed knowledge of all sections of high-volume kitchens and kitchen operations
Industrial relations
Stock management
Proficient in recipe management and kitchen systems
Culinary creativity and menu innovation expertise
Commercial acumen
Risk and audit management
Cross functional project management
Skills and Competencies
Excellent leadership and people management
Budget planning and financial management
Organisational and planning skills
Problem solving
Presentation skills
Client engagement skills
Excellent organisational skills
Communication
Analytical
Research skills
Innovation and continuous improvement
Strategic planning
Attributes
High attention to detail
Passionate and visionary leader with a hands-on approach to kitchen innovation
Adaptable and able to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Collaborative team player with high emotional intelligence and a customer-centric mindset
Ethical and sustainability-focused, committed to responsible sourcing and waste reduction
Resilient problem-solver who balances creativity with practicality
Willingness to travel frequently
Additional Information
Air Chefs SOC Ltd is a premium food solutions company with over 40 years of experience. A wholly owned subsidiary of South African Airways, we are uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional food and hospitality services across air, corporate, and event sectors. With three strategically located operational units in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, we have the capacity to produce over 50000 meals daily, serving domestic and international airlines, airport lounges, events, and corporate canteens.
Click here to apply
First Officer
Closing Date
Not specified
Reference Number
SAA231220-1
Job Title First Officer
Division Operations
Business Unit Flight Operations
Job Type Permanent
Location – Country South Africa
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Town / City Kempton Park
Job Purpose
South African Airways (SAA) wants you to join the SAA family as a First Officer.
As a First Officer, you will be expected to take all measures required for the safety of the flight, whether on the ground, or inflight, and be expected to perform the duties of a pilot for South African Airways as either a Second-In-Command Pilot (P2) or Cruise Relief Pilot (P3).
Principal Accountabilities
Documentation Requirements:
Matric results transcript
Aviation training records
A summary of all the types of aircraft flown and the number of hours flown in each type
Certified copies of the following: Matric Certificate; South African Identity Document / Passport, Academic transcripts; Last 3 pages of Pilot logbook; Pilot Logbook Summary, Pilot License; Class 1 Medical Certificate
CV
Preference will be given to female pilot applicants in accordance with SAA’s Pilot Employment Equity Plan.
Candidates will be expected to undergo pre-employment assessments which includes checks i.e. criminal, credit, reference, authentication of qualifications etc., simulator / written and psychometric tests.
Qualifications & Experience
Matric Certificate / Grade 12 results / N3 or relevant tertiary qualifications (SAQA accredited)
Compulsory subjects: Mathematics or Statistics 101 and English (D symbol on higher grade or C symbol on standard grade) coupled with one of the following: Physical Science or Computer Science (D symbol on higher grade or C symbol on standard grade)
Valid South African Airline Transport Pilot’s License, or a Commercial Pilot License having completed all the ground subjects for the ATPL (previously known as a Frozen ATPL). A valid ATPL License must be obtained within 4 years from date of employment with SAA with a multi engine instrument rating
Valid Class 1 medical
A minimum of 1,500 flying hours which includes 200 hours on multi-engine aircraft
Be a South African citizen with a valid Passport
Knowledge and Skills
Must have expertise in the application of safety standards and safe operating practices
Detailed knowledge and understanding of national and international aviation regulations such as CAA, ICAO, IATA, FAA, and EASA
Demonstrate a firm understanding of international travel, international customs and practices etc.
Knowledge of all legal regulations for the piloting/aviation profession in the South African and international regulatory environment
Business communication skills (verbal and written)
Attributes
Emotional intelligence
Ability to inspire commitment
Able to deal with complex operational issues inherent in a fast moving environment
Ability to work under pressure (organisational resilience with change management focus)
Ability to pay attention to detail (meticulous)
Ability to collaborate proactively and maintain working relationships across professional and operational boundaries
Results driven
Ability to develop self and others
Judgement and decision making ability
Additional Information
SAA will make use of an internal employee referral programme for all permanent vacancies advertised externally on the E-recruitment site. The normal advert and application process will still apply alongside the programme. Terms and conditions as published on MySAA apply.
SAA is using an online recruitment tool. Applicants are required to complete an individual registration profile capturing essential personal and career selection criteria. Applicants must please note that they only need to complete the online registration once and thereafter they can update their online profiles as and when necessary.
PLEASE NOTE: The onus are on applicants to ensure all mandatory fields are completed. Incomplete online profiles will be disqualified from the application process. Online profiles are used for screening and shortlisting purposes. A CV is only for verification and record keeping purposes. Applicants need to ensure that their online profiles are completed with correct and current information. Incomplete sections can disqualify applicants from the screening and selection process.
This applies to all internal and external applicants.
SYSTEM SUPPORT: CebileNkosi@flysaa.com
Click here to apply
We wish you all the best with your applications
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