Value Addition Lead

About the role

We are looking for a Value Addition Lead to drive the growth of cooked meals and value‑added product portfolio at Keep IT Cool. The role combines strategic planning, kitchen operations, product development and team leadership to position the value‑addition function as a key revenue driver.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to expand cooked meals and value‑added products, identifying new market opportunities and driving profitability.
• Oversee daily kitchen and food production activities, create production schedules, and ensure timely preparation and delivery of meals.
• Lead product development and menu innovation, creating seasonal menus, standardising recipes, and introducing new poultry and fish‑based products.
• Implement and maintain HACCP‑based food safety and quality systems, conduct inspections, and ensure full traceability of ingredients.
• Manage food costing, inventory, and production yields, reduce waste, and control departmental budgets.
• Supervise and mentor the chef, kitchen assistants and production staff, set performance expectations and foster a culture of teamwork and innovation.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Food Production, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Food Science or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience managing commercial kitchen operations, food production or value‑addition.
• Proven experience leading kitchen teams and implementing food safety and quality systems.
• Strong understanding of food costing, menu engineering and production planning.
• Demonstrated ability to manage operational budgets and improve profitability.

Required skills

• HACCP food safety implementation
• Food costing and menu engineering
• Production planning
• Inventory and waste management
• Budget management