Lead Our Brand-New Premium Café
Wacky Kingdom is opening its brand-new family entertainment venue in Westquay Leisure, Southampton, and we're looking for an experienced, energetic and passionate Café Lead / Supervisor to help launch and lead our premium café.
Our café will serve speciality barista coffee, fresh breakfasts, brunch, pizzas, cakes, pastries and family favourites in a fast-paced environment. We're looking for someone who leads by example, delivers exceptional customer service and takes pride in producing high-quality food and drinks every day.
This is more than just a café role. As a key member of our leadership team, you'll work closely with the Site Manager to support the overall day-to-day operation of the venue, helping to ensure both the café and the wider guest experience run smoothly. You'll have the opportunity to influence standards, develop your team and play an important part in the successful launch and ongoing growth of Wacky Kingdom Southampton.
If you're passionate about hospitality, coffee and creating memorable customer experiences, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead the day-to-day operation of our busy café.
- Prepare consistently high-quality barista coffee using commercial espresso equipment.
- Prepare and serve fresh café food, including breakfasts, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, pizzas, pastries and cakes.
- Supervise, motivate and support the café team during busy service periods.
- Train, coach and develop new and existing team members.
- Deliver exceptional customer service and create memorable guest experiences.
- Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and presentation.
- Manage stock levels, deliveries and minimise waste.
- Complete daily opening and closing procedures.
- Ensure all food and drinks are prepared consistently and to company standards.
- Support the Site Manager with the day-to-day running of the venue, helping maintain high operational standards across both the café and wider business.
- Assist with team performance, customer feedback, operational improvements and ensuring an outstanding experience for every guest.
- Lead by example and help build a positive, supportive and high-performing team culture.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with genuine café experience who enjoys leading a team and thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
Essential
- Minimum 2 years' experience working in a café, coffee shop or hospitality environment.
- Previous experience supervising or leading a team.
- Strong barista skills using a commercial espresso machine and grinder.
- Confident preparing espresso-based drinks including:
Latte
Cappuccino
Flat White
Americano
Mocha
Hot Chocolate
Iced Coffee
- Excellent milk texturing and coffee presentation skills.
- Experience preparing fresh café food including:
- Breakfast items
Sandwiches
Toasties
Paninis
Pizzas
Pastries
Cakes
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure during busy periods.
- A proactive, hands-on attitude with a willingness to lead by example.
- Flexible to work weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
Desirable
- Food Hygiene Level 2 (or above).
- Experience managing stock ordering and stock control.
- Experience opening and closing a café independently.
- Experience training and developing team members.
- Passion for speciality coffee and hospitality.
- First Aid qualification (desirable but not essential).
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly pay depending on experience.
- Full training and ongoing development.
- Genuine career progression opportunities as Wacky Kingdom continues to expand.
- Employee discounts.
- Company events.
- A supportive management team.
- The opportunity to be part of an exciting new venue from launch and help shape its future success.
Working Hours
- Full-time, permanent position.
- 8-hour shifts.
- Day shifts.
- Weekend availability required.
- School holiday working required.
- Overtime opportunities available.
Why Join Wacky Kingdom?
At Wacky Kingdom, we're creating much more than a soft play centre—we're building a destination where families can create unforgettable memories.
Our café is at the heart of that experience. We believe great coffee, delicious food and outstanding hospitality are just as important as the play itself. As Café Lead / Supervisor, you'll play a vital role in delivering that experience while supporting the Site Manager in ensuring the venue operates to the highest possible standards.
If you're ambitious, passionate about hospitality and excited by the opportunity to help launch and grow a brand-new venue, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
