GENERAL MANAGER
Moulsham, Chelmsford
Full-time, 40 hours per week
£40,000–£42,000, depending on experience
ABOUT DUKE STREET STORE
Duke Street Store is an independent coffee shop and neighbourhood store in Chelmsford. Following the success of our first, takeaway-focused site, we are opening a larger café and store in Moulsham (DUKE STREET SUPERSTORE), with seating, table service, excellent coffee, a simple food offering and a carefully chosen selection of products.
The new store sits in the middle of a residential area that we live in ourselves. We want it to become a genuinely welcoming neighbourhood spot: somewhere regulars feel known, new customers immediately feel comfortable and people enjoy returning to throughout the week.
We care about the details, but we do not want the atmosphere to feel formal or over-managed. It should be relaxed, friendly and full of personality.
THE ROLE
We are looking for an experienced General Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the new store.
This is a hands-on role. You will be present on the floor, leading the team and making sure service runs smoothly, but we are also looking for someone who can take most of the everyday organisation of the business off the founders’ plates.
Just as importantly, we want the General Manager to become a familiar and friendly face for the store. Someone who remembers the locals, gets to know the regulars and genuinely enjoys building those relationships over time.
You will have plenty of freedom to bring ideas to the table and help shape how the store develops. We want someone who will care about the business, notice opportunities and feel confident suggesting better ways of doing things.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
You will:
· Take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the store
· Lead service from the floor and help create a warm, relaxed atmosphere
· Get to know our regular customers and build strong relationships within the neighbourhood
· Recruit, train and support a friendly and capable team
· Create a fun, positive working environment where people enjoy coming to work
· Organise rotas, holidays and staff cover
· Oversee stock levels, wastage and supplier relationships
· Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, food safety and licensing compliance
· Keep a sensible eye on sales, staffing costs and the overall performance of the store
· Deal confidently with the everyday problems that naturally arise
· Bring forward ideas for improving the customer experience, the team and the wider business
· Keep the founders informed without needing them to be involved in every daily decision
ABOUT YOU
You will ideally have previously managed a good independent café, restaurant or similar hospitality business.
You should be organised, reliable and comfortable taking real responsibility, but we are not looking for someone overly corporate. The right person will be naturally friendly, calm and confident, with a genuine interest in people and hospitality.
You will enjoy being part of the neighbourhood, getting to know customers and creating an environment that feels welcoming.
You will also be someone who:
· Leads by example and is happy to get stuck in
· Communicates clearly and follows things through
· Enjoys developing people and building a strong team
· Can deal with difficult conversations fairly and directly when needed
· Understands the commercial side of running a hospitality business
· Is confident sharing ideas and challenging us when they see a better way
· Can balance high standards with a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere
WHAT WE OFFER
· £40,000–£42,000 per year, depending on experience
· A 40-hour working week
· 28 days’ holiday, including bank holidays
· Workplace pension
· Staff discount and free coffee while working
· Genuine autonomy and the opportunity to shape a new neighbourhood business from the beginning
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply with your CV and a short note telling us a little about yourself, your relevant experience and why you would like to join Duke Street.
Pay: £40,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
