Job Description

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)