Executive Chef

About Sudima Auckland City

Sudima Auckland City is a modern, purpose-built hotel located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, offering guests a stylish and comfortable stay just moments from the city’s key attractions, dining, and business hubs.

With contemporary rooms, warm hospitality, and a strong focus on personalised service, Sudima Auckland City delivers memorable guest experiences for both business and leisure travellers. Our passionate team takes pride in creating a welcoming environment where every guest feels valued.

East offers a modern Asian, plant-focused dining experience inspired by flavours from across the East, from Thailand and Japan to Korea and China. Built on the belief that vegetarian and vegan cuisine should be bold, vibrant and full of flavour, our menu celebrates salty, sweet, sour and spicy elements while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. Designed for sharing, the food is complemented by one of New Zealand’s few 100% organic and vegan wine lists, supporting local artisanal producers. The space blends stylish design with a relaxed atmosphere, creating a refined yet welcoming dining experience for guests.

Sunset Bar is a contemporary rooftop bar offering a seasonal menu of bespoke cocktails, an eclectic selection of local and international wines, a locally focused beer offering, and food inspired by the vibrant flavours of Mumbai street cuisine. Sunset delivers a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere, pairing refined bar dining with a strong beverage focus. The kitchen supports a social, stylish environment where guests come together for after work drinks, casual dining, and memorable evenings, all set against panoramic city and harbour views.

About The Role | Te mahi

We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Executive Chef to lead our culinary operations across East Restaurant, Sunset Bar Kitchen, and Conference & Events. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for someone who is passionate about modern hospitality, team development, and delivering exceptional guest experiences through innovative cuisine.

As Executive Chef, you will bring these brands to life through thoughtful menu design, strong operational leadership, and a clear culinary vision. You will build and mentor a talented kitchen team, support conference and event delivery, and ensure every outlet reflects the brands commitment to quality, sustainability, and guest connection.

Responsibilities | Ngā Haepapa

• Provide strong leadership, coaching and development of the kitchen, supporting capability growth and succession planning.
• Lead menu planning and development, ensuring offerings align with brand standards, guest expectations and current market trends.
• Deliver consistent, high quality food production across all outlets, maintaining strong standards in preparation, presentation and cooking techniques.
• Implement and maintain food control plans in accordance with MPI guidelines, HACCP requirements and company procedures.
• Uphold the highest standards of hygiene, food safety and Health & Safety compliance, ensuring corrective action is taken where standards are not met.
• Manage all kitchen operations including service delivery, administration, purchasing practices and quality control.
• Maintain strong cost control through effective purchasing, preferred supplier management, food control systems, budgeting and forecasting to protect margins.
• Oversee staffing levels, roster planning and resource allocation in line with business needs, payroll budgets and legislative requirements.
• Recruit, train, coach and manage team performance in alignment with company values, policies and procedures.
• Proactively seek guest feedback and resolve issues promptly to support a positive guest experience.
• Foster collaborative working relationships across hotel departments, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Drive sustainability initiatives including waste reduction and environmentally responsible kitchen operations.
• Lead regular team communication, ensuring team members remain informed of menus, promotions, functions and events.
• Ensure maintenance, hygiene and hazard matters are addressed promptly to support safe and efficient operations.

Requirements

About You | Ko Koe Tēnei

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or a high performing Sous Chef within a 4-star hotel.
• Minimum of 10 years of senior chef experience in a 4-star hotel.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and develop high performing teams while maintaining a positive and professional culture.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with a practical understanding of budgeting, food cost control and hotel kitchen operations.
• Creative and innovative approach to menu design and delivery of high quality food experiences.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Highly organised with strong planning skills, capable of prioritising tasks, multi-tasking and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident, adaptable and resilient, with the ability to remain composed under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
• Approachable, flexible and team-focused, with a genuine commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
• Relevant trade qualification required (e.g., Hotel Kitchen Management, Bachelor of Culinary Arts Level 5, NZQF Diploma or similar), or equivalent industry experience where applicable.

Benefits

He kura te tangata | We are all valued

As an employer of choice, we offer great employee benefits like life cover, outstanding health and wellbeing programs, and discounts on hotels, restaurants, bars and spas across our network -not just for you but in some cases your friends and family too!

• Wellbeing programme including Health insurance discounts
• Excellent reward & recognition events
• Long service and anniversary gifts and benefits
• Staff, family and friends rates within our network of hotels
• Paid training and individual Employee Development Plans
• Life insurance cover after successful probation period

Who We Are | Ko Wai Mātou

Here at Sudima Hotels, we have one passion, you! We care, we do the right thing and we work together. As a Sudima team member, you will demonstrate these values with your day-to-day actions, however great or small.

We believe 'We Are all Valued - He Kura te Tangata', and our success is a direct reflection of our people and our company culture. We live and breathe Manaakitanga, hospitality is at the heart of all that we do.   As HRD's Five Star Employer of Choice Award in 2019, 2022, and in 2024, our people love coming to work every day and we think you will too!

Hind Management, the management company behind Sudima Hotels, builds, operates, and manages our award-winning hotels, restaurants, bars, and spa businesses. As industry leaders in social and environmental responsibility, they operate on a sustainable business model that takes the well-being of our people and planet seriously.

Above all, we’re looking for positive people. Working with us not only means getting unlimited opportunities to develop yourself and your career but being part of a community and company culture that’s passionate about putting people first.

Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai!

Hind Management is committed to accessibility.  Should you require assistance or support and are unable to apply online due to an access need, contact our office (+64) 99051727 or email our Talent Acquisition Team at careers@hindmanagement.com. We will aim to respond within 48 hours Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. 

At Hind Management, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including disabled and neurodivergent candidates. Our hiring process is fully accessible and designed to ensure equity for everyone. Please let us know how we can support you in presenting your best self.

E manawanui ana tātou - We care 

Ka mahi tahi tātou - We work together 

Ka whai tātou i te tika - We do the right thing 

He kura te tangata - We are all valued