About the Community Cafe
This is an exciting new community-led initiative based at Duffryn Community Centre. At the heart of the project is the creation of a welcoming community café that provides affordable food and drinks alongside opportunities for learning, practical catering experience and accredited training.
Initially opening three mornings each week (8.30–12.00pm), the café will serve drinks, snacks, breakfasts and brunches while providing high-quality practical catering experience for volunteers, trainees and work placement students. The café forms part of a wider programme that aims to improve wellbeing, develop skills and create pathways into employment for local residents.
Purpose of the Role
The Café Co-ordinator and Supervisor will be responsible for establishing, coordinating and leading the day-to-day operation of the community café. Working closely with the Executive Officer, the postholder will ensure the café operates efficiently, safely and sustainably while providing a welcoming environment and an excellent customer experience.
The postholder will oversee all catering operations, including menu planning, budgeting, stock management, food safety compliance and supervision of individuals undertaking practical catering experience.
The Café Co-ordinator and Supervisor will play a key role in ensuring the café becomes a financially sustainable social enterprise that delivers high-quality food and service while supporting the wider aims of the Duffryn Thrives project.
Key Responsibilities
Café Operations
- Lead and coordinate the day-to-day operation of the community café.
- Prepare and serve high-quality drinks, breakfasts, brunches, snacks and light refreshments.
- Deliver consistently high standards of customer service, creating a welcoming and inclusive café environment.
- Develop, cost and regularly review café menus that are nutritious, affordable, attractive and financially sustainable.
- Plan menus using seasonal produce where appropriate and identify opportunities to maximise income while minimising waste.
- Determine stock requirements and manage the ordering, storage and rotation of food, beverages and catering supplies.
- Manage the café budget, monitor expenditure and ensure effective financial control to support the long-term sustainability of the café.
- Monitor food costs, portion control and wastage, implementing improvements where appropriate.
- Operate the till and maintain accurate financial and stock records in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Open and close the café and ensure the premises are secure.
Food Safety, Compliance and Quality
- Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and health and safety throughout the café.
- Develop, implement and maintain food safety management systems based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles.
- Ensure all food safety documentation, cleaning schedules, temperature records and allergen information are accurately maintained.
- Act as the café's day-to-day contact with the Environmental Health Officer (EHO), working alongside the Executive Officer to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.
- Lead preparations for Environmental Health inspections and work towards achieving and maintaining a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating within the first year of operation.
- Keep up to date with food safety legislation and implement changes where required.
Supporting Learning in the Café
- Provide day-to-day supervision, instruction and support to volunteers, trainees and work placement students whilst they are working in the café.
- Demonstrate safe food preparation, customer service and professional kitchen practices.
- Support individuals to develop practical catering skills, confidence and good workplace behaviours.
- Assist learners working towards accredited qualifications by providing practical workplace experience and guidance.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure learners receive coordinated support throughout their placement.
Café Development
- Work with the Community Support Officer to establish and continually develop the café.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer experience, income generation and sustainability.
- Contribute ideas for new menu items, promotions and service improvements.
- Maintain records required for monitoring café performance and project outcomes.
Collaborative Working
Work closely with colleagues across Duffryn Community Link, including:
- Executive Officer – providing operational oversight, strategic direction and project management.
- Community Support Officer – coordinating café activities with wider wellbeing and community support programmes.
- Community Involvement Officer – ensuring volunteers receive appropriate support and opportunities within the café.
- Skills and Progression Officer – supporting learners and work placement students to gain practical catering experience and progress into further training or employment.
General Responsibilities
- Work in accordance with Duffryn Community Link's policies and procedures.
- Attend supervision, staff meetings and relevant training.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR requirements.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- Level 2 Award in Food Safety
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
Essential Experience
- Experience of working within a café, catering or hospitality environment.
- Experience supervising staff, trainees or individuals in a catering setting.
- Experience of menu planning and menu costing.
- Experience managing stock, purchasing and stock control.
- Experience of managing or working within a catering budget.
- Experience of monitoring food costs and reducing waste.
- Experience of implementing HACCP-based food safety management systems.
- Experience of preparing for or participating in Environmental Health inspections.
- Experience maintaining food safety records and ensuring compliance with food hygiene legislation.
- Experience delivering excellent customer service.
Essential Knowledge
- Sound knowledge of food hygiene legislation and food safety standards.
- Thorough understanding of HACCP principles and their practical application.
- Knowledge of allergen management requirements.
- Understanding of health and safety within a catering environment.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
- Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Ability to coordinate the day-to-day operation of a busy café.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to develop menus that balance affordability, customer demand and financial sustainability.
- Good numerical skills with the ability to manage budgets and monitor expenditure.
- Ability to supervise and support individuals developing practical catering skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritise competing demands.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and email.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
Personal Attributes
- Friendly, approachable and professional.
- Passionate about delivering high-quality customer service.
- Organised, reliable and self-motivated.
- Patient and supportive when working with learners and trainees.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Committed to maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene.
- Enthusiastic about contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of the café.
Desirable
- Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering (or equivalent).
- Teaching, mentoring or assessor qualification.
- Experience supporting individuals undertaking accredited catering qualifications.
- Experience of achieving or maintaining a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating.
- Experience working within a community café or social enterprise.
- First Aid qualification.
- Welsh language skills.
Our Values
Duffryn Community Link is committed to creating opportunities that strengthen our community. The successful candidate will demonstrate our values by:
- Treating everyone with dignity, respect and kindness.
- Delivering excellent customer service.
- Maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, food safety and quality.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
- Taking pride in creating a welcoming café that is financially sustainable and benefits the wider community.
Pay: £12,307.70 per year
Work Location: In person
