About the Role
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Jigsaw Café Manager to take overall responsibility for the day-to-day running and development of our community café.
This is a hands-on role. As well as managing the café and leading the team, you will play an active role in designing the menu, preparing and cooking food, ensuring that customers receive high-quality, affordable and enjoyable food and drinks.
You will lead a small team of Café Assistants and a team of volunteers, ensuring the café operates safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
A key part of the role will be leading, motivating and developing people. As a community charity, Langworthy Cornerstone is committed to supporting volunteers to develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to prepare for employment and future opportunities. We want someone who enjoys helping others build confidence, learn new skills and take on greater responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Café Management and Food Preparation
- Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Jigsaw Café.
- Lead and manage the café team, ensuring high standards of customer service and food quality.
- Design, develop and regularly review the café menu.
- Prepare, cook and serve food as part of the day-to-day operation of the café.
- Develop affordable, appealing and nutritious food options appropriate for a community café setting.
- Ensure all food is prepared and presented to a high standard.
- Support and oversee Café Assistants and volunteers in food preparation and service.
- Manage food and beverage ordering, stock levels and stock rotation.
- Monitor food costs and minimise waste.
- Manage the staff and volunteer rotas.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene and health and safety.
- Ensure appropriate food safety, allergen and cleaning procedures are followed.
- Monitor customer feedback and identify opportunities to improve the café and its menu.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across Langworthy Cornerstone.
Team and Volunteer Development
- Lead, motivate and support Café Assistants and volunteers.
- Create a positive, welcoming and inclusive team environment.
- Ensure staff and volunteers understand their roles and responsibilities.
- Identify people's strengths, interests and development needs.
- Develop and deliver volunteer induction and training plans.
- Train and support staff and volunteers in food preparation, food hygiene, customer service and café operations.
- Provide volunteers with opportunities to learn new skills and take on greater responsibility.
- Support volunteers to develop practical, transferable and employability skills that will help prepare them for future employment and opportunities.
- Help volunteers build confidence, experience and independence, supporting them to progress towards their personal, training or employment goals.
- Provide opportunities for volunteers to gain hands-on experience in areas including food preparation, cooking, customer service, teamwork and café operations.
- Recognise and celebrate achievements and encourage progression.
Volunteer development is a key part of this role. As a charity, we aim to provide meaningful volunteering opportunities that help people build the skills, confidence, experience and knowledge needed for employment and future opportunities.
We want someone who takes genuine satisfaction from seeing volunteers grow in confidence and capability, develop new skills and use their experience at Jigsaw Café as a stepping stone towards further training, volunteering or employment.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Experience of leading a team in a café, food or beverage setting.
- Experience of preparing and cooking food in a professional café, kitchen, catering or food service environment.
- Experience of designing or contributing to the development of a menu.
- Experience of supervising or managing staff.
- Strong people management and communication skills.
- Experience of working with or managing volunteers, or a strong understanding of volunteer development.
- A genuine interest in supporting people to develop their skills, confidence and employability.
- Ability to motivate, support and develop others.
- Experience of managing stock and ordering.
- Good understanding of food hygiene, allergen management and health and safety.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A positive, approachable and reliable attitude.
- Commitment to providing excellent customer service.
Desirable
- Food Hygiene qualification.
- Relevant food preparation, catering or culinary qualification.
- Experience of working in a community café or similar setting.
- Experience of developing volunteer training, employability or progression plans.
- Experience of managing a café budget.
- Experience of developing affordable and nutritious menus.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who combines strong café management and food preparation skills with excellent people skills.
You will be confident planning menus, preparing and cooking food, leading a team and taking ownership of the café's day-to-day operation.
Just as importantly, you will understand the important role that volunteering can play in people's lives. You will be passionate about supporting volunteers to gain confidence, practical experience and transferable skills, helping to prepare them for employment and future opportunities.
If you are an experienced café, catering or food service professional who enjoys being hands-on in the kitchen, leading and developing people, and wants to use your skills to make a genuine difference in a community-focused charity, we would love to hear from you.
Pay: £14.00 per hour
Expected hours: 32.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
