Kitchen Team Leader – Afternoon Shift

We’re seeking a hands‑on Kitchen Team Leader to coordinate and support our kitchen team in preparing the foundations of our handcrafted chocolates. Working alongside the team, you’ll help ensure ingredients and key components are prepared safely, efficiently and to approved quality standards.

Afternoon shift position: 3:00pm‑11:06pm Monday to Friday.

The Role

Reporting to the Afternoon Shift Manager, you’ll coordinate the daily production plan within the prep and pastry kitchen areas. This is a hands‑on role, combining preparation and production work with task allocation, clear communication and practical support for team members. You’ll monitor progress against daily priorities and escalate production, equipment, safety or quality issues to the Shift Manager or relevant support team.

You’ll act as a role model for Koko Black’s values – Passion, Leadership, Ownership and Trust – and play a key role in developing capability and building a high‑performing production team.

Key Responsibilities

- Ensure all ingredients, components, fillings, and other products are prepared according to approved recipes and specifications.
- Coordinate workflow, prioritise tasks, and allocate team members to meet the daily production plan.
- Monitor product quality, consistency, presentation, and yield throughout the preparation process.
- Ensure correct handling, storage, labelling, and rotation of ingredients and finished products.
- Ensure the team follows cleaning, hygiene, food safety and safe operating procedures, addressing hazards promptly and escalating concerns as required.
- Ensure required production, temperature, allergen and quality checks are completed and recorded accurately, and escalate non‑conformances appropriately.
- Provide clear direction, coaching and feedback to team members.
- Support onboarding, training and skill development across the kitchen teams.
- Work with the Afternoon Shift Manager, Quality Assurance, Maintenance,



Supply Chain and Warehouse teams to address production issues and keep daily work on track.
- Identify and support practical improvements within the kitchen areas to reduce waste, downtime and rework.
- Champion Koko Black’s food safety, quality and craftsmanship culture at all times.

What You’ll Bring

- Proven leadership or supervisory experience in a commercial kitchen, pastry kitchen, food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
- Hands‑on leadership style with the ability to inspire, support and develop your team.
- Robust knowledge of food preparation, pastry production, food safety, hygiene and allergen management.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach.
- Strong organisation skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- A commitment to consistency, continuous improvement and high‑quality outcomes.
- Confidence in providing timely feedback, addressing day‑to‑day issues and recognising when to escalate concerns to the Shift Manager.
- A passion for pastry, craftsmanship and pride in creating premium products.

Why Koko Black?

- Be part of an iconic Australian chocolate brand with craftsmanship and quality at its heart.
- Bring innovation to life – influence packaging solutions across a growing portfolio of brands and products.
- Make an impact on sustainability – help us explore smarter, lower‑impact packaging solutions.
- Work cross‑functionally – collaborate with Innovation, Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain and more.
- Grow with us – join Koko Black Group during an exciting period of growth and evolution.
- Enjoy a 40% team member discount.

Job Details

Full‑time, Permanent, Australian – Victoria (Hybrid/Remote).

Salary: $128,122.95 – $133,190.40 per annum, plus site loading and superannuation.

Benefits: 6 weeks annual leave per annum, paid rostered leave, onsite accommodation, and other standard benefits.

Other Opportunities

We also offer roles in logistics, research, nursing and hospitality across Australia. For further details, see the respective job descriptions.

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