About the job
Café Najjar is a coffee expert with 66 years of experience that evolved over the years to become a leading iconic coffee brand in the region. Today our Lebanese, Espresso and Filtered Coffee are enjoyed by coffee lovers living in Lebanon and all over the world. The company became the biggest coffee factory and the number one producer of coffee in the Middle East and North Africa region and exports to more than 45 countries globally.
In addition to its iconic brands, Café Najjar offers full coffee solutions to top multinational coffee chains in the Middle East region, Africa, Greece, and Cyprus while ensuring an outstanding coffee experience for their consumers. Our aim is to ensure we deliver the perfect cup of coffee everyday everywhere.
Under Najjar Professional Solutions we provide a high quality coffee portfolio (Café Najjar, Gia & Ilgustino), Krikita Nuts and Cookers/Byte sweet and savory specialties that could be enjoyed and savored at out of home locations, such as hotels, restaurants, cafes (HoReCa), offices and institutions.
We are seeking a talented Chef, based in KSA OR willing to relocate to KSA, who will be responsible for managing all aspects of pastry production, including planning, organizing, and coordinating activities to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the pastry kitchen. This role requires strong leadership, operational expertise, and a passion for delivering high-quality pastry products.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the pastry production department, including scheduling, staffing, and workflow management to meet production targets and deadlines.
• Develop and implement production plans, schedules, and resource allocation strategies to optimize efficiency, minimize waste, and maximize productivity.
• Collaborate with the team and management to establish production goals, quality standards, and performance metrics, and monitor progress towards achieving them.
• Manage and mentor a team of pastry chefs, cooks, and production staff, providing leadership, guidance, and support to ensure a positive work environment and high levels of employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and quality control procedures throughout the production process, including proper handling, storage, and disposal of food products.
• Monitor ingredient inventory levels, procurement needs, and supplier relationships, and coordinate with purchasing and logistics departments to maintain adequate stock levels and timely delivery of ingredients and supplies.
• Implement and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pastry production, equipment operation, and cleaning protocols, and provide training to staff as needed to ensure adherence to SOPs.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits of production facilities, equipment, and processes to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions to enhance efficiency, safety, and quality.
• Analyze production data, performance metrics, and customer feedback to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement, and recommend and implement strategies to optimize production processes and enhance product quality.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as sales, marketing, and R&D, to support product development initiatives, promotional campaigns, and special events, and ensure seamless integration of pastry production with overall business objectives.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or related field. Advanced degree or certification in Production Management or Food Technology is preferred.
• Proven experience in a managerial role within the pastry production industry, with a track record of success in planning, organizing, and optimizing production operations.
• Strong knowledge of pastry techniques, ingredients, and production methods, with experience in high-volume production environments.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve production goals and uphold quality standards.
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations, quality management systems, and industry best practices.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions to improve production efficiency and product quality.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and production management software.