Are you a people person who enjoys creating a welcoming atmosphere and delivering great customer service? We are looking for a friendly, reliable and proactive individual to join our small café team at Exeter Science Park. This is a varied, hands-on role that combines front-of-house café duties with support for meetings and events. The successful candidate will be comfortable using their initiative to manage day-to-day tasks, whilst also working closely with our Chef and Client Services Apprentice to provide an excellent experience for tenants, visitors and guests. Reporting to the Client Services Manager, this is an exciting opportunity to become part of a collaborative team at the heart of a thriving innovation community. Previous applicants need not apply
Salary: National Minimum Wage (or National Living Wage, depending on age)
Cafe Opening Hours 8am - 5pm Mon -Fri. Full time 37.5 hrs a week
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Provide a welcoming, professional and helpful front of house service to tenants, visitors, event delegates and colleagues, treating everyone with courtesy, respect and professionalism at all times. Act as a key point of contact for customers, handling enquiries professionally.
Support day-to-day café operations, prioritising workload, including serving customers, taking payments, preparing basic food and drink items, clearing tables, maintaining a clean and welcoming environment, and helping ensure the café is aligned with ESPL’s standards.
Support café operating controls including accurate order handling, till and payment processes, cleaning and temperature records, basic stock and supply checks, outdoor seating set-up where required, and compliance with relevant risk assessments and operating procedures.
Complete café website and point of sale updates to ensure accurate stock and items are available for sale.
Process incoming and ordering of ambient stock. Work with established merchants that supply the kitchen.
Support food and beverage requirements for meetings, seminar rooms and events, ensuring service is timely, accurate and appropriate to the needs of clients, visitors and delegates.
Provide event support as directed by the Client Services Manager or Operations Support, including room set-up and close-down, layouts, signage, refreshments, delegate welcome and basic AV checks.
Work closely with the client services apprentice, contributing to a positive team environment and delivering excellent customer service.
Maintain good standards of cleanliness, presentation, food safety and health and safety across café, front of house, meeting, event and community areas.
Support simple administration, including booking information, customer records, stock checks and follow-up activity.
Report maintenance, facilities, IT, food safety or customer service issues promptly to the Client Services Manager or Operations Support.
Work flexibly across café, front of house, community activity and events during busy periods, holidays or absence cover.
Take part in workplace learning, seek feedback and apply learning to improve performance.
Person Specification
Qualifications: No mandatory formal qualification requirement.
Experience:
Experience in customer service, hospitality, events or community support is essential.
Skills: Friendly communication, reliability, punctuality, ability to follow instructions, attention to detail, basic IT confidence and willingness to learn.
Personal Aptitudes: Positive, welcoming and professional, respectful, helpful, calm under pressure, willing to step in where needed.
Pay: £8.00-£12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
