Bakery & Coffee Shop Manager
Location: Cardiff
Company: Ostuni Ltd — a family-run, independent bakery and coffee shop
Reports to: Owners
Hours: Full-time, including some early mornings, weekends, and bank holidays
About Us
We're a small, family-owned bakery and coffee shop in Cardiff, known locally for freshly baked goods / quality coffee / a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As a close-knit, independent business, we hold ourselves to high standards in everything we do — from the quality of our food and pastries to the way we treat our customers and each other. We're looking for a Manager who shares that pride and can help us keep raising the bar as we grow.
The Role
You'll be the person who makes sure the shop runs smoothly every day — leading the team, maintaining our standards, and being the face of the business when the owners aren't on site. This is a hands-on role: you'll be behind the counter, on the shop floor, and in the kitchen as much as you're in the back office.
Key Responsibilities
Daily Operations
- Open and/or close the shop, ensuring it's ready for trade to a consistently high standard
- Oversee day-to-day running of the café and bakery counter, including queue management during busy periods
- Monitor stock levels and place orders for ingredients, packaging, and supplies
- Ensure food safety, hygiene, and allergen procedures are followed at all times (HACCP/EHO compliance)
- Manage cash handling, till reconciliation, and basic financial record-keeping
Team Leadership
- Recruit, train, and rota a small team of bakers, baristas, and front-of-house staff
- Lead by example on the shop floor — customer service, product knowledge, cleanliness
- Run informal daily briefings and address performance or conduct issues fairly and promptly
- Foster a positive, hardworking team culture that reflects our family values
Quality & Standards
- Uphold consistently high standards for bakery products, coffee, and customer service
- Carry out quality checks on products throughout the day
- Support the owners in developing and refining recipes, menus, and seasonal offerings
- Ensure the shop's presentation (displays, cleanliness, ambience) always reflects the brand
Customer Experience
- Build relationships with regular customers and the wider local community
- Handle customer feedback and complaints with care and resolve issues quickly
- Represent the business at local events or markets where relevant
Business Support
- Track sales, waste, and basic KPIs; report regularly to the owners
- Suggest ideas for improving efficiency, reducing waste, and growing sales
- Help manage supplier relationships and negotiate terms where appropriate
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Previous experience managing or supervising in a café, bakery, restaurant, or similar hospitality setting
- A genuine passion for food, baking, and/or specialty coffee
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate a small team
- Excellent customer service skills and a warm, approachable manner
- Good understanding of food hygiene and health & safety standards (Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate or willingness to obtain one)
- Comfortable with cash handling, basic stock control, and simple admin/reporting
- Reliable, hands-on, and happy to work early mornings and weekends
- Right to work in the UK
Desirable
- Barista experience or coffee training
- Baking or pastry background
- Experience in an independent or family-run business
- Familiarity with Cardiff's local food and hospitality scene
- Basic knowledge of rotas, payroll input, or EPOS systems
Personal Attributes
- High personal standards and attention to detail — someone who notices when something isn't quite right
- Trustworthy and reliable, able to be left in charge of the business
- A calm, organised approach, especially during busy periods
- A team player who's willing to get stuck in at every level, from scrubbing trays to serving customers
- Genuine care for the business as if it were their own — this matters to us as a family
- Good communicator, both with the team and with customers
- Adaptable and proactive, comfortable wearing multiple hats in a small business
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, depending upon experience
- Staff discount on food and drink
- A supportive, family-run working environment
- Opportunity to genuinely shape the business and grow with it
- Pension scheme / holiday allowance / training support
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short covering note telling us why you'd be a good fit to [email protected], or drop into the shop and speak to us in person at 312 Heathwood Road, Cardiff, CF14 4HT
Ostuni Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Pay: £28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
