Cafe Manager –
Join Our Team at Roots and Shoots!
Location: Roots and Shoots Garden Centre
Job Type: Paid Position
Age Requirement: 18+
Availability: Weekday and weekend work required
We’re looking for a Café Manager with strong values, genuine integrity and a natural ability to lead people well.
For us, great leadership is about being strong but fair, honest but kind. We want someone who isn’t afraid to make decisions, have difficult conversations or uphold high standards, while always treating people with dignity, respect and compassion.
What we’re looking for
Ideally, you’ll have previous experience working in or managing a café, hospitality or similar customer-facing environment, together with a good understanding of food hygiene and food safety. A relevant Food Hygiene qualification would be highly desirable.
You’ll also be confident with the practical responsibilities of running a team, including creating staff rotas, organising shifts, managing cover and balancing the needs of the business with those of the team.
You’ll be someone who:
- Can earn the respect of your coworkers and maintain that respect through your actions, consistency and the way you treat people.
- Is comfortable firmly but fairly bringing team members back into line when behaviour, performance or standards fall below what is expected.
- Can plan and write effective staff rotas, anticipating staffing requirements and dealing confidently with holidays, sickness and unexpected changes.
- Is confident leading staff meetings, communicating expectations clearly, listening to the team and ensuring actions are followed through.
- Has initiative and good judgement – you can see what needs doing and get on with it rather than always waiting to be told.
- Is proactive in identifying potential problems and finding practical solutions before they become bigger issues.
- Leads by example and is willing to get stuck in alongside the team.
- Has strong personal integrity and does the right thing, even when it might be the more difficult option.
- Is honest, trustworthy and willing to take responsibility for decisions and mistakes.
- Can have difficult conversations without being confrontational or disrespectful, while not allowing issues to go unaddressed.
- Understands the balance between being kind and supportive while still holding people accountable.
- Treats everyone fairly and consistently, without favouritism.
- Remains calm, practical and level-headed when the café gets busy or unexpected problems arise.
- Has excellent customer service skills and genuinely cares about creating a welcoming experience.
- Is confident dealing with customer concerns, complaints and unexpected issues, taking ownership and finding fair, appropriate solutions.
- Can make sensible decisions independently while recognising when something needs to be escalated.
- Communicates clearly, professionally and respectfully with customers, coworkers and senior management.
- Takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene, presentation and service.
- Is organised, dependable and able to prioritise and delegate effectively while keeping an eye on the bigger picture.
Growing the business
We don’t just want someone to maintain what we already have. We’re looking for a manager who is excited about helping the café grow and develop.
You’ll bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm and commercial awareness, while understanding what our customers value and what makes our café special.
At Roots and shoots we would love someone who:
- Regularly thinks about new ways to attract customers, encourage repeat business and increase sales.
- Brings forward fresh ideas for the menu, promotions, events, seasonal opportunities and the overall customer experience.
- Notices opportunities and is confident suggesting improvements rather than simply accepting “that’s how we’ve always done it”.
- Understands that growth needs to be sustainable and commercially sensible, with an awareness of costs, waste, staffing and profitability.
- Listens to customer feedback and uses it to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Encourages the team to contribute ideas and creates an environment where people feel involved in the café’s success.
- Takes genuine pride in seeing the café become busier, stronger and more successful, without compromising the quality, service or values that are important to us.
Character matters to us
Experience and skills are important, but character, integrity and attitude matter just as much.
Ultimately, we want a manager who will take real ownership of the café – someone who uses their initiative, supports and develops their team, looks after our customers and is always thinking about how we can improve and grow.
We want someone who will care about the café and its future, bring fresh energy and ideas to the business, and take genuine pride in helping us move forward while protecting the values and standards that matter to us.
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
