Overview
Something spectacular is happening at Pudsey Park. As part of a major regeneration of a much-beloved local institution, The Really Wild Café offers a stunning, unique destination dining experience contained within Pudsey Park’s beautiful, light-filled glasshouse.
Designed to perfectly complement The Really Wild Zoo next door, our café features a breathtaking centrepiece: The world's longest fish tank, which flows through the building to elegantly divide the seating areas. We aren’t just serving coffee; we are creating an unforgettable, immersive experience. We are looking for a strong leader who can bring our team together and inspire colleagues, is proficient in all of the roles needed within the café and is willing to take ownership of the direction of the café and innovate on key areas from the dining space to the menu.
The Role
As the Café Manager, you will be the driving force behind The Really Wild Café. You are an inspiring, hands-on leader who brings the team together, leads by example across every role in the business, and takes true ownership of our daily operations and future growth.
Your responsibilities include:
· Team Leadership & Culture: Lead, mentor, and motivate our energetic team, fostering a supportive environment and managing shift patterns, staff training, and daily workflows.
· Operational Excellence: Confidently step into any role when needed—from crafting specialty coffees and preparing fresh menu items to running the EPOS till system and maintaining food safety standards.
· Innovation & Ownership: Take the reins on driving the cafe forward by refining and innovating our food and drink menus, optimising customer flow, and shaping our unique dining space.
· Guest Experience: Ensure seamless, memorable customer service for families, parkgoers, and zoo visitors inside our one-of-a-kind glasshouse setting.
· Compliance & Inventory: Maintain high food hygiene standards, manage stock ordering, track waste, and ensure full compliance with safety regulations.
What We Are Looking For
- The Leader: A proven track record in cafe, restaurant, or hospitality management with a passion for building cohesive, high-performing teams.
- The Hands-On Expert: Full proficiency in all day-to-day cafe roles—barista skills, light food prep, front-of-house service, and till operations.
- The Innovator: Creative ideas for menu development, spatial presentation, and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
- The Mindset: Warm, highly organized, and adaptable, with a strong commitment to quality and high operational standards.
- Requirements: Food Hygiene Level 3 (or willingness to achieve), in-date First Aid certification (desirable), and strong business/budgetary awareness.
What’s in it for You?
- The Perks: Free Annual Membership to The Really Wild Zoo.
- Your Wellbeing: A beautiful, bright, outdoor-adjacent working environment inside a spectacular park glasshouse.
- Your Future: Real opportunities for career progression and funded training as our wildlife attraction grows.
How to Apply
If you want to be part of the regeneration of Pudsey Park and work in one of the most unique café settings in the UK, we want to hear from you!
Please submit your CV and a brief note telling us why you’d love to join the team at The Really Wild Café.
- Applications Close: Sunday 6 September
- Interviews & Practical Trials: Week commencing 7 September
- Official Start Date: Week Commencing Monday 14 September
Pay: £25,420.00-£32,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
