Head Butcher

Head Butcher

Hello Chef is growing fast — scaling production volumes, expanding our meat and fish range, and raising the bar on food quality and reliability.

As the butchery operation scales, disciplined standards, predictable execution, and tight control over yield and stock are essential to protecting quality and cost.

We’re hiring a Head Butcher to own day-to-day butchery execution. Reporting to the Head of Butchery Operations & Product Development, you’ll lead from the floor, set and enforce standards, and ensure production runs cleanly, safely, and to plan.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes pride in food safety, yield discipline, and building a reliable operation at scale.

Mission

Own the daily butchery operation to deliver safe, high-quality meat and fish with strong yield, clean execution, and reliable production flow.

Accountabilities

1. Food Safety, Hygiene & Cold Chain Standards Ownership

• Own food safety, hygiene, cold chain, and FIFO standards across the entire butchery
• Ensure the butchery is clean, organised, and inspection-ready at all times — not only during audits or peak periods
• Set and maintain clear cleanliness and discipline standards for the whole team

2. Production, Yield & Stock Control

• Protect yield, shelf life, and stock integrity across beef, lamb, and fish
• Ensure correct cutting, handling, and sequencing to meet yield and quality expectations
• Accurately record and report yield, waste, and stock movements
• Identify and flag risks early (yield loss, shortages, quality issues, timing risks)

3. Team Leadership & Daily Execution Ownership

• Plan daily production and allocate work clearly across the team
• Control sequencing and pacing to meet production targets
• Act as the first escalation point for execution, quality, or safety issues
• Ensure holidays, shifts, and coverage do not disrupt execution
• Ensure the operation runs reliably even without senior oversight

Competencies

1. Food Safety & Standards Leadership: Deep understanding of food safety, hygiene, cold chain, and FIFO. Sets and enforces standards consistently across people, products, and processes.
2. Advanced Butchery & Product Knowledge: Strong hands-on knowledge of beef, lamb, and fish — cuts, yield behaviour, shelf life, and best use by product and customer use case.
3. Yield, Stock & Cost Awareness: Understands how cutting technique, sequencing, and handling affect yield, waste, and shelf life. Tracks and reports yield and stock accurately.
4. Execution Planning & Operational Discipline: Turns plans and forecasts into clear daily execution. Sequences work logically and prevents last-minute firefighting.
5. People Leadership & Accountability: Leads the floor calmly and firmly. Sets expectations, gives clear direction, corrects issues early, and builds a disciplined, reliable team.
6. Clear Communication & Escalation Judgment (English): Communicates clearly in English. Knows when to act independently and when to escalate early to prevent risk.

What We Offer

• An on-site, hands-on role aligned to a six-day production schedule.
• Market-competitive compensation with biannual performance reviews
• 26 days annual leave, annual flight allowance, and relocation support if moving to Dubai
• Premium medical insurance (including dental and optical)
• 50% Hello Chef discount and regular food tastings
• A high-ownership, high-feedback culture with clear expectations and real accountability