Job Description
Job Description
HEAD CHEF / MINE CATERING CHEF
Location: Doma, Zimbabwe
Industry: Mining
Meals: Approximately 200 people
Employment Type: Full-time
Applications: hr@birdoneland.co.za
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, reliable, and highly organised Head Chef / Mine Catering Chef to oversee the preparation and delivery of nutritious, high-quality meals for approximately 200 employees and personnel at a mining operation in Doma, Zimbabwe.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing day-to-day kitchen operations, planning menus, supervising kitchen staff, managing food supplies and costs, and ensuring that meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, and consistently.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and oversee the preparation of meals for approximately 200 people.
- Develop balanced, nutritious, and varied menus suitable for a mining workforce.
- Prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and other meals or refreshments as required.
- Manage high-volume food production while maintaining consistent quality and portion sizes.
- Supervise, train, and allocate duties to kitchen assistants, cooks, and catering staff.
- Develop weekly and monthly menus while taking into account nutritional requirements, available ingredients, and budget.
- Manage food purchasing, stock levels, inventory, and kitchen supplies.
- Work closely with management to develop and maintain food budgets.
- Monitor food costs, portion control, wastage, and overall kitchen expenditure.
- Ensure ingredients are fresh, properly stored, labelled, and used within appropriate food-safety guidelines.
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, and sanitation.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Zimbabwean food safety, health, and occupational safety requirements.
- Maintain proper records of stock, purchases, menus, food temperatures, cleaning schedules, and other relevant kitchen documentation.
- Coordinate meal preparation and service to ensure food is available on time, particularly around mining shift schedules.
- Cater for different dietary requirements and reasonable special meal requests where necessary.
- Ensure kitchen equipment is used correctly, cleaned, and maintained.
- Identify maintenance or replacement requirements for kitchen equipment and report these to management.
- Minimise food waste through effective menu planning, purchasing, preparation, and storage.
- Maintain professional standards of conduct and a positive working relationship with mine management and employees.
- Assist with catering for meetings, special events, visitors, and other company functions when required.
- Ensure the kitchen operates efficiently even during periods of high demand or staff shortages.
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Qualifications and Experience
Requirements*
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Chef, Catering Manager, or similar role.
- Previous experience in large-scale catering, institutional catering, mining camps, lodges, hotels, schools, hospitals, or similar environments is highly advantageous.
- Demonstrated experience catering for 150–200+ people.
- Culinary qualification or professional chef training is an advantage.
- Strong knowledge of food preparation, nutrition, food safety, hygiene, and sanitation.
- Experience with menu planning, bulk cooking, portion control, and food costing.
- Strong stock management and purchasing skills.
- Ability to lead and supervise a kitchen team effectively.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in a high-volume environment.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Reliable, disciplined, and able to work according to mining-site schedules.
- Ability to work weekends, public holidays, and shifts when required.
- Valid food-handling/health certification will be an advantage.
- References from previous employers may be required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their CV and a brief cover letter outlining their relevant experience, particularly their experience catering for large groups.
Applications should be sent to:
hr@birdoneland.co.za
Subject Line: Mine Chef Application – Doma
Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.