Head Chef - BangPop

Head Chef

Venue: BangPop – Modern Thai Dining & Events
Location: South Wharf, Melbourne
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview

The Head Chef is responsible for leading the culinary operations at BangPop, driving the delivery of high-quality, authentic Thai cuisine across restaurant service, private events, and interactive cooking experiences.

This is a senior leadership role combining hands-on kitchen execution with strategic oversight of food cost, labour performance, systems, and team development. The Head Chef will champion consistency, creativity, and operational excellence while maintaining the vibrant energy that defines BangPop.

This role suits an experienced Thai chef with strong leadership capability and a passion for building high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

• Lead all kitchen operations during service, functions, and events

• Take full ownership of menu execution, food quality, and presentation standards

• Maintain and enforce food safety, hygiene, and compliance standards

• Hold current Food Safety Supervisor certification

• Drive efficient prep systems, workflow, and service execution

• Ensure consistency across all day-to-day service and high-volume events

• Collaborate with senior management on menu development and seasonal updates

People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a large and diverse kitchen team

• Build a positive, high-energy, and professional kitchen culture

• Manage rosters in line with business needs and wage targets

• Provide clear direction, performance feedback, and coaching

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training initiatives

• Foster accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Cost & Performance Control

• Take responsibility for food cost control, portion management and wastage reduction

• Oversee menu costing, recipe adherence, and margin performance

• Monitor wage performance and productivity targets

• Manage stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability

Events & Experiences

• Lead the culinary execution of private events, group dining, and functions

• Oversee delivery of cooking masterclasses and interactive experiences

• Adapt kitchen operations to suit varying event formats and volumes

• Work closely with the events and front-of-house teams to ensure seamless delivery

• Maintain BangPop's reputation for vibrant, flavour-driven Thai dining

Administration & Systems

• Confidently manage kitchen systems including ordering, costing, and rostering

• Maintain accurate documentation for recipes, procedures, and compliance

• Communicate clearly with management and cross-functional teams

• Contribute to continuous improvement of kitchen systems and processes

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Skills & Experience Required

• Minimum 5–7 years' experience in Thai cuisine, including senior leadership roles

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume venue

• Strong knowledge of authentic Thai techniques and regional flavours

• Proven ability to lead and develop large kitchen teams

• Solid understanding of menu costing, food margins, and wage management

• Strong English communication skills

• High level of computer literacy and confidence using kitchen systems

• Bilingual Thai / English highly regarded

• Calm, organised, and solutions-focused under pressure

• Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery required