About Cake Box DS Group
We operate 7 Cake Box stores across Bedford, Peterborough, Luton, Milton Keynes and Ilford.
We're looking for a hands on Junior Operations Manager to support our store managers, maintain high standards across our stores, and help the business continue to improve and grow.
This role is ideal for someone who has management experience in retail, hospitality or food service and is ready to take the next step into a multi site position.
You do not need years of area management experience. If you've successfully managed a store, led a team and are looking for more responsibility, we'd love to hear from you.
You'll work closely with the business owner and management team, giving you exposure to every part of the business. This is a role where you'll be trusted, given responsibility and encouraged to contribute ideas.
Our stores are located in:
- Bedford
- Peterborough
- Luton
- Luton Mall
- Bletchley, Milton Keynes
- Ilford Lane, Ilford
- Cranbrook Road, Ilford
The Role
Your primary responsibility will be supporting our stores and helping our managers succeed.
You will regularly visit stores, review standards, monitor performance, solve day to day operational issues and help ensure every store is delivering a great customer experience.
This is a varied role. One day you may be reviewing sales reports and coaching a manager. The next you may be coordinating a repair, investigating an issue, helping improve store standards or supporting a store through a busy trading period.
As a Cake Box franchisee, we work closely with head office and our franchise support teams. The successful candidate will play an important role in helping ensure information, standards and initiatives are communicated effectively across all stores.
We're looking for someone who enjoys being involved in the detail, takes pride in doing things properly and genuinely wants to help the team perform at their best.
Key Responsibilities
Store Standards
- Visit stores regularly to carry out operational reviews
- Review cleanliness, cake presentation and customer experience
- Monitor display standards and product presentation
- Ensure stores consistently meet Cake Box brand standards
Supporting Store Managers
- Act as a point of support for store managers
- Help managers resolve operational challenges
- Share best practice across the group
- Support training and development where required
- Assist with fortnightly managers' meetings and follow up actions
Sales and Performance
- Review sales and performance reports using EPOS systems
- Monitor key performance indicators across all stores
- Help managers understand and improve their results
- Support seasonal campaigns and promotions
- Identify opportunities to improve customer experience, sales and operational efficiency
Operational Support
- Coordinate maintenance, repairs and contractor visits
- Liaise with suppliers and service providers
- Help ensure stores remain operational and compliant
- Support stores during unexpected issues, absences or busy trading periods
- Occasionally assist with stock transfers and other practical operational requirements
Administration and Reporting
- Maintain operational records and action trackers
- Monitor completion of store checklists and routine tasks
- Prepare reports and updates for management meetings
- Ensure communication flows effectively between stores and the wider business
Franchise & Head Office Communication
- Attend weekly franchisee meetings and head office forums where required
- Communicate relevant updates, promotions, operational changes and compliance requirements to store managers
- Act as a link between the stores and head office, helping ensure information is shared accurately and acted upon
- Support the implementation of new initiatives, products and procedures introduced by Cake Box head office
- Ensure stores remain compliant with franchise standards and operational requirements
What We're Looking For
Experience
- Previous management or supervisory experience in retail, hospitality or food service
- Experience leading and motivating teams
- Strong organisational skills
- Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- Experience using workplace communication and collaboration platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams or similar systems is desirable.
- Comfortable reviewing sales reports and performance data
- Multi site experience is beneficial but not essential
The Type of Person Who Will Succeed Here
- Reliable, organised and able to follow things through
- Comfortable working independently and managing your own workload
- Confident making decisions without needing constant direction
- Humble enough to ask questions, learn from others and accept feedback
- Practical and solutions focused when problems arise
- Calm under pressure and able to prioritise effectively
- Comfortable rolling up your sleeves and helping wherever needed
- Someone who genuinely enjoys supporting and developing people
- Proactive and able to spot issues before they become bigger problems
- Interested in growing with the business and taking on more responsibility over time
We are not looking for someone with a huge corporate CV. We're looking for someone dependable, level headed, eager to learn and willing to take ownership.
You do not need to have managed 20 sites. If you've managed one or two locations well and are ready for the next step in your career, we'd love to hear from you.
Requirements
- Full UK driving licence
- Access to your own vehicle
- Willingness to travel regularly between stores
What We Offer
- £40,000 salary
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Mileage paid at 45p per mile for business travel
- Company pension scheme
- 50% staff discount at our 7 stores
- Direct exposure to the owner and senior management team
- Genuine opportunities for progression as the business grows
How to Apply
Please send your CV along with a short introduction about yourself.
Tell us about your experience, why this role interests you and what kind of manager you are.
We review every application personally and look forward to hearing from you.
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a full UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle?
- Do you have experience managing or supervising staff in a retail environment?
- Are you confident using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office on a daily basis?
- Are you able to travel regularly across all 7 shops for this role?
- How many sites or locations have you managed or supported at one time?
- Briefly describe your retail management background and the size of the operation you worked in.
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (required)
Experience:
- retail or people management : 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Drivers licence and a car (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Luton LU4 8BN
