Head Chef / Mine Catering Chef

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.

Job Summary

• Employer: birdoneland
• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
• Category: Catering
• Closing Date: 2026-10-13

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.

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

Apply by email: hr@birdoneland.co.za