Sous Chef / Assistant Head Chef

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced culinary professional with a passion for the art of cooking and strong leadership skills to take on a prominent role in a high-volume operation inMaputoandMatola. The position ofAssistant Head Chefdemands far more than technical culinary expertise — it requires operational vision, management discipline, and a genuine ability to inspire teams in high-pressure environments.

If you have a deep command of Mozambican, Portuguese, and Indian cuisine, a sharp eye for quality and plate presentation, and you are ready to take the next step in your career within the food industry, this role was designed for you.

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About the Role

TheAssistant Head Chefis the vital link between the creative vision of culinary leadership and the flawless day-to-day execution in the kitchen. In this role, the selected professional will be responsible for ensuring that every dish leaving the kitchen reflects the highest standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.

This is a hybrid role combining leadership and hands-on execution: at times, you will lead the kitchen brigade with authority and clarity; at others, you will be at the center of the action — cooking, supervising, and ensuring that every operational detail is aligned with the establishment's goals.

This position sits within theHospitality and Tourism, in a high-volume food industry setting where efficiency, hygiene, and creativity constantly coexist in a demanding environment.

Detailed Responsibilities and Assignments

The professional selected for this position will take on a broad set of responsibilities encompassing both the technical and culinary dimension as well as the management and team leadership dimension.

Kitchen Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, guide, and managethe kitchen brigade on a day-to-day basis, ensuring a disciplined, collaborative, and high-performance work environment.
• Developwork schedulesthat are balanced and functional, ensuring adequate coverage during peak operational periods.
• Provide active support tohuman resourcesprocesses whenever necessary, including onboarding new team members, performance evaluations, and internal conflict resolution.
• Act as thetechnical and motivational point of referencefor the entire team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and culinary excellence.

Menu Planning and Specialties

• Develop and plan menusthat are balanced, creative, and aligned with the gastronomic identity of the establishment, incorporating influences from Mozambican, Portuguese, and Indian cuisine.
• Create and update thedaily specials, exploring seasonal ingredients, market trends, and the preferences of the target audience.
• Prepareprep lists(prep lists) that are detailed and functional for the team, ensuring that every brigade member knows exactly what to prepare, in what quantity, and how far in advance.

Cost Management, Inventory, and Procurement

• Manage food costswith rigorous precision, identifying optimization opportunities without compromising the quality of the dishes served.
• Oversee theraw materials inventory, ensuring that stock levels are always aligned with operational needs and that waste is kept to a minimum.
• Collaborate with the purchasing department in theselection of suppliersand in negotiating terms that support the financial sustainability of culinary operations.

Food Quality, Storage, and Presentation

• Uphold the highestfood storage and rotation standards, strictly applying the FIFO (First In, First Out) principle and ensuring the integrity of all products.
• Oversee thequality and presentationof every dish before it leaves the kitchen, ensuring visual and sensory consistency across every service.
• Implement and monitorrecipe specification sheets, ensuring that production is replicable, scalable, and aligned with the standards set by the Head Chef.

Hygiene, Health, and Food Safety

• Ensure strict compliancewith all applicable hygiene, health, and food safety regulations, in accordance with Mozambican legislation and international best practices in the industry.
• Establish and overseecleaning and maintenance schedulesfor equipment, storage areas, and workspaces, ensuring the kitchen always operates in impeccable conditions.
• Foster afood safety culturethroughout the entire team, through ongoing training and the consistent application of established procedures.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for a professional with a rare combination of culinary talent, natural leadership, and operational discipline. The ideal candidate is not just an experienced cook — they are a rising kitchen manager with ambition, precision, and a genuine passion for gastronomy.

Education and Experience

• Completed Secondary Educationor Equivalency Certificate (GED); training in culinary arts or hospitality will be an advantage.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of proven experiencein high-volume production kitchens, preferably in reputable restaurants, hotels, or catering operations.
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation ofMozambican, Portuguese, and Indian cuisine, with strong technical command of their respective culinary traditions, seasonings, and cooking techniques.

Technical and Operational Skills

• Solid command ofprofessional kitchen techniques, including heat management, knife skills, cooking methods, and temperature control.
• Proven ability todevelop and manage prep listsand recipe specification sheets with accuracy and efficiency.
• In-depth knowledge ofHACCP standardsand applicable food safety regulations.
• Proficiency infood cost managementand inventory control in large-scale environments.

Language Skills

• Fluency in Portuguese and English, both in spoken and written communication — essential for engaging with multicultural teams and producing bilingual technical documentation.

Soft Skills and Personal Attributes

• Natural leadershipand the ability to motivate teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• A strong sense ofresponsibility and organization, with meticulous attention to detail at every stage of culinary production.
• Excellentcommunication and conflict resolution skills, essential for managing diverse teams and maintaining operational cohesion.
• A genuine commitment toquality and continuous improvement, with a constant drive to grow and elevate operational standards.
• Resilience andadaptabilityin the face of unexpected situations, production peaks, and day-to-day logistical challenges.

What We Offer

This position represents a genuine opportunity for professional growth within a leading operation in the food industry inMaputoandMatola. The compensation package isdefined in line with industry standardsand will be negotiated based on the experience and profile of the selected candidate.

• Competitive compensationaligned with the marketof the food industry in Mozambique.
• Work environmentdynamic, multicultural, and stimulating, with exposure to different culinary traditions.
• A real opportunity forcareer advancementwithin a growing organization.
• Join a team of professionalspassionate about gastronomyand committed to excellence.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, prepare yourresume in both Portuguese and English. If you don't yet have an up-to-date professional resume, use theresume builderfrom Inademy to create a compelling document in just a few minutes.

You should also include arecent photo and a cover letterthat demonstrates your motivation and suitability for the role. Not sure how to structure your letter? Check out our guide on writing acover letterand make sure your application is memorable and professional.

Send all documentation to the email addresses[email protected]and[email protected]. To ensure your application is correctly identified and processed, refer to our guide onWhat to Write in the Email Subject Line When Sending Your Resume— and remember to writeASSISTANT CHEFin the email subject line.

If you are called for an interview, prepare in advance by consulting our comprehensive guide onHow to Prepare for a Job Interview in Mozambique Without Failing. Preparation makes all the difference.

Application deadline: August 13, 2026.Don't wait until the last minute — the strongest applications come in early.