Job Description

We're looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager to take ownership of our busy Tweed Heads kitchen and lead our BOH team.

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Next Door is a high-volume café with a fast-paced breakfast and lunch service. We're looking for someone who loves being on the tools, but also understands that running a great kitchen is about much more than cooking.

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This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can run service, lead and develop a team, manage prep and stock, control wages and COGS, and keep a busy kitchen organised and operating consistently.

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Most importantly, we want someone who genuinely enjoys building a strong kitchen and making it run well.

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THE ROLE

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You'll take responsibility for the day-to-day operation and performance of the Tweed kitchen, including:

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Leading the kitchen team during service

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Running fast, organised breakfast and lunch services

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Maintaining food quality, consistency and presentation

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Managing kitchen prep and production

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Managing ordering, stock levels and deliveries

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Monitoring food waste and COGS

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Managing kitchen labour and roster efficiency

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Building and maintaining the kitchen roster

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Training, developing and supporting BOH team members

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Managing staff performance and maintaining clear standards

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Ensuring food safety, cleanliness and kitchen organisation

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Making sure recipes, prep and procedures are followed consistently

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Working closely with our FOH Manager and ownership team

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Identifying operational problems and helping improve efficiency

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HOW WE OPERATE

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Next Door is a systems-driven business.

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We use platforms including Restoke and Deputy to manage recipes, prep, procedures, rostering and daily operations.

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We absolutely want someone who brings experience and ideas to the table,



but we're not looking for someone who comes in and changes everything overnight.

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You'll first spend time learning the Next Door way, our menu, kitchen, service, systems and team.

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Once you've completed your training period and understand the operation, you'll take increasing ownership of the kitchen and work with us to continually make it better.

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If something needs changing, we discuss it, test it, document it and update the system so the whole team is working the same way.

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WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

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You might currently be a:

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and ready to take ownership of your own kitchen.

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We're looking for someone who:

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Is confident leading a team

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Can stay calm and organised during busy services

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Is quick and efficient on the tools

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Understands COGS, stock, waste and labour

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Can delegate rather than trying to do everything themselves

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Communicates clearly and respectfully

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Holds people accountable while still building a great team culture

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Is organised and comfortable using systems & tech

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Is reliable and consistent

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Wants to grow with a business long term

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Experience in a busy breakfast/brunch café would be an advantage.

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THE OPPORTUNITY

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This isn't just another chef position.

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We're building the management structure around Next Door so the business can continue to grow, and we're looking for someone who wants to become an important part of that.

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You'll have a clearly defined training period where you'll learn the operation before being expected to take full ownership.

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From there, the goal is for you to genuinely own the day-to-day running of the kitchen — your team, service, standards, labour, COGS and performance.

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If you're an experienced chef or kitchen leader who loves busy service, strong systems and building great teams, we'd love to meet you.

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📌 Lead Chef - Kitchen manager (City of Gold Coast)
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📍 City of Gold Coast