Executive Chef/Production Head- Luxury Chocolate company (SELMI Chocolate Machinery)

About the Chocolate company

It is a homegrown premium chocolate brand from the UAE, known for bold innovation, luxury-quality products, and a passion for storytelling through chocolate. They are expanding our new state-of-the-art production facility and looking for a highly skilled Head of Production / Executive Chef to lead chocolate and pastry production.

Role Overview

The Head of Production will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of chocolate and pastry production . This includes day-to-day operations, R&D for new product development, quality assurance, and leading a team of chefs and assistants. The ideal candidate will be hands-on with SELMI chocolate machinery, have deep knowledge of bean-to-bar chocolate making, and bring creativity and leadership to drive innovation and production excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Leadership
• Lead and manage daily chocolate and pastry production operations.
• Supervise, train, and mentor the kitchen team to ensure efficiency, discipline, and quality standards.
• Manage scheduling, workflow, and output to meet production targets.
• Technical Expertise
• Operate, maintain, and optimize SELMI chocolate machinery (enrobers, tempering, one-shot lines, etc.).
• Oversee bean-to-bar chocolate processing, including roasting, grinding, conching, and refining.
• Ensure compliance with international food safety standards (ISO, HACCP, FSSC).
• Research & Development
• Drive the creation of new and innovative chocolate products, pastries, and seasonal flavors.
• Collaborate with management to develop limited editions, corporate gifting collections, and international-market products.
• Experiment with textures, fillings, and flavor pairings to keep it ahead of trends.
• Quality & Compliance
• Maintain its premium quality standards across all product lines.
• Enforce hygiene, safety, and sanitation practices in accordance with UAE and export regulations.
• Monitor raw material usage, inventory, and wastage control.
• Collaboration & Reporting
• Work closely with management, operations, and marketing teams to align production with brand vision.
• Report regularly on production performance, team updates, and R&D progress.
• Participate in product launches, tastings, and client demonstrations when required.

Requirements

• Experience: 3–5 years as Senior Chef / Executive Pastry Chef / Head of Production in premium chocolate or pastry kitchens.
• Chocolate Expertise: Proven hands-on experience with SELMI chocolate line and bean-to-bar chocolate making.
• R&D Skills: Strong background in chocolate innovation and pastry development.
• Leadership: Ability to lead, train, and inspire a team of chefs and assistants.
• Food Safety Knowledge: Familiarity with HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC, and export-compliance standards.
• Education: Culinary / pastry / chocolatier qualification preferred.
• Languages: English required; Arabic/other languages a plus.

Preferred Skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Creative mindset with a passion for developing unique chocolate concepts.

Knowledge of international chocolate trends and premium markets.

• Problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
• Flexibility to adapt in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

• Executive pastry or chocolate Chef: 5 years (Preferred)
• Selmi chocolate machinery: 1 year (Preferred)