Vanimi Zambia Ltd Seeks Experienced Senior Chocolatier

Vanimi Zambia Ltd, a company based in Lusaka, Zambia, has announced a job opening for a Senior Chocolatier – Bonbon & Praline Specialist. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the production and development of premium handmade bonbons, pralines, and filled chocolates. The company is seeking an experienced and highly skilled professional with strong technical expertise in chocolate tempering, molding, ganache preparation, filling, sealing, and finishing.

The Senior Chocolatier will be responsible for producing consistently high-quality products, introducing new flavors and designs, and establishing standardized production processes that allow the company to scale production without compromising quality. The role involves mastering chocolate tempering and crystallization techniques, creating perfectly finished chocolate shells with consistent thickness and shine, and preparing a variety of fillings, including ganache, caramel, praline, fruit-based fillings, nut pastes, and other innovative combinations.

In addition to production responsibilities, the Senior Chocolatier will be involved in product development and innovation, developing new bonbon flavors, recipes, textures, and product collections. The successful candidate will be expected to experiment with local ingredients and flavors, including Zambian nuts, fruits, spices, and other indigenous ingredients, and develop seasonal and occasion-based collections for gifting, retail, and corporate clients.

The Senior Chocolatier will also be responsible for production management and quality control, establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for bonbon production, maintaining accurate recipes, production records, and batch specifications, and monitoring production efficiency, wastage, and ingredient utilization. The role requires ensuring proper storage, handling, and shelf-life management, maintaining high standards of food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness, and identifying and resolving production and quality issues.

The ideal candidate will have professional training in pastry, confectionery, or chocolate making, a minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in professional chocolate or confectionery production, and demonstrable experience specializing in bonbons, pralines, and filled chocolates. Strong technical knowledge of chocolate tempering and crystallization, experience producing ganache, caramels, pralines, and other chocolate fillings, and experience working with professional chocolate molds and equipment are also required.

The Senior Chocolatier will be expected to train production staff in chocolate handling, tempering, molding, and finishing techniques, develop team capabilities, and ensure consistency in production. The role requires exceptional attention to detail and craftsmanship, strong understanding of chocolate science and techniques, creativity and passion for flavor development, and excellent organizational and time-management skills.

Interested candidates can apply for the position by sending their cover letter, CV, and portfolio of chocolate products to [email protected] with the subject line "Senior Chocolatier – Bonbon & Praline Specialist". The successful candidate will be responsible for meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) including product quality, production efficiency, product innovation, waste management, recipe standardization, shelf life, and team development.

Key points

• The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the production and development of premium handmade bonbons, pralines, and filled chocolates.
• The role requires strong technical expertise in chocolate tempering, molding, ganache preparation, filling, sealing, and finishing.
• The ideal candidate will have professional training in pastry, confectionery, or chocolate making, and a minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in professional chocolate or confectionery production.