Company: Empact Group
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Division: Empact Group Food Solutions
Job Type: Contract
Experience Level: Associate
Industry: Food Production
Functional Area: Operations
Date Posted: 03 November 2025
Closing Date: 28 November 2025
About Empact Group
Empact Group is one of South Africa’s premier providers of food, catering, cleaning, and integrated facilities management services. Through its Food Solutions Division, Empact delivers world-class dining and hospitality experiences to clients across corporate, healthcare, education, and industrial sectors.
With a deep commitment to quality, sustainability, and service innovation, Empact Group combines culinary creativity with operational excellence to meet evolving client needs. The company’s culture of collaboration and integrity ensures every project delivers measurable value and satisfaction.
Discover more Empact Group career opportunities at Jobs and Career Opportunities South Africa.
Position Overview
Empact Group is seeking a highly skilled and passionate Head Chef to join its Food Solutions Division in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
This role is ideal for a culinary professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and is eager to lead food operations that reflect excellence, creativity, and precision. The Head Chef will be responsible for menu planning, recipe development, food quality assurance, and kitchen operations management — ensuring every meal aligns with Empact Group’s high standards of quality and innovation.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, financial acumen, and culinary expertise, ensuring that both the strategic and daily functions of the kitchen are effectively managed.
Key Responsibilities
Menu Development and Food Production
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Design, plan, and implement seasonal, creative, and cost-effective menus.
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Establish and maintain standardized recipes and food purchase specifications.
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Supervise all food preparation and production activities to ensure consistent taste, presentation, and portion control.
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Innovate new dishes and modern trends, including grab-and-go offerings and promotional menu items.
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Uphold strict quality, hygiene, and food safety standards at all times.
Operational Management
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Oversee the strategic and daily kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and profitability.
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Maintain compliance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards across all food production areas.
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Collaborate with management to uphold high customer satisfaction and service excellence.
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Support initiatives that enhance food service innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
Procurement and Cost Control
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Manage ordering, stock control, and waste reduction processes effectively.
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Monitor and analyse menu costings to maintain and achieve targeted gross profit margins (GP%).
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Ensure stock levels are optimized and procurement practices are aligned with budgetary goals.
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Maintain accurate records for inventory, tiebacks, and waste management.
Team Leadership and Development
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Lead, coach, and motivate a team of chefs and kitchen staff to achieve operational goals.
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Enforce compliance with working hours, health and safety, and company policies.
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Maintain discipline and foster a professional, high-performance kitchen culture.
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Support the growth and training of team members to build internal culinary capability.
Minimum Requirements
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Relevant tertiary qualification in Hospitality or Culinary Arts.
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Must be a qualified chef with proven industry experience.
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Demonstrated success in managing food operations across fine dining and large-scale catering environments.
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Strong knowledge of South African food safety laws and industry regulations.
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Financially astute with experience in budgeting, cost control, and achieving target GP%.
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Excellent communication, planning, and organizational skills.
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Computer literate with sound administrative and reporting capability.
Core Competencies
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Deep culinary knowledge with creativity in menu design and presentation.
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Strong leadership and people management skills.
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Proven ability to drive profitability through cost-effective food management.
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Excellent understanding of food safety, hygiene, and OHS regulations.
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Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem solving.
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Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-pressure kitchen environment.
Why Join Empact Group
By joining Empact Group, you become part of a brand that celebrates innovation, teamwork, and passion for excellence. As a Head Chef, you will:
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Lead a talented team in a professional, fast-paced environment.
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Work with an organisation that prioritises employee development and recognition.
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Be empowered to drive culinary innovation that influences national food trends.
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Contribute to meaningful sustainability and community initiatives.
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Enjoy being part of a company that values integrity, service excellence, and continuous growth.
Employment Equity Commitment
Empact Group is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. Preference will be given to candidates in accordance with the company’s Employment Equity Policy and relevant legislation.
POPIA Compliance Notice
Empact Group complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). All personal information collected will be stored securely and used solely for recruitment purposes in line with South African data protection laws.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to apply online via the official Empact Group Careers Portal before the closing date.
Application Guidelines:
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Submit a detailed CV highlighting your culinary experience and achievements.
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Attach copies of your qualifications, ID, and professional references.
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Use the job title: Head Chef – Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
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Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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