Why Join Coffee World?
Coffee World is one of the UK's longest-established independent coffee roasters, proudly roasting specialty coffee in Cambridge since 1984.
From our solar-powered roastery in Milton, we source, roast and supply exceptional coffee to cafés, colleges, restaurants and businesses across the UK. Our Espresso Bar sits at the heart of the roastery, showcasing everything we're passionate about—great coffee, fresh food and genuine hospitality.
We're looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Espresso Bar Manager to lead our flagship café and help shape the next stage of its growth.
This isn't just another café manager role. You'll have the opportunity to influence the direction of the Espresso Bar, develop your team and introduce new ideas while working alongside one of the UK's most respected independent coffee roasters.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £30,000–£35,000 (depending on experience)
- Performance-related bonus
- Private healthcare
- 4-day working week (most weeks)
- Fair management rota
- Free food and drinks while on shift
- Employee discount across Coffee World
- Ongoing specialty coffee and management training
- Career progression opportunities
- Company events
- Friendly and supportive working environment
Working Pattern
Our Espresso Bar is open 8:00am–5:00pm, seven days a week.
This position is based on a rota and typically follows a 4 days on / 3 days off working pattern, providing an excellent work-life balance. Some flexibility is required to cover holidays, sickness and busy periods, but we aim to maintain this pattern wherever possible.
Weekend working is shared fairly across the management team.
About You
We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys hospitality, loves leading people and takes pride in delivering an exceptional customer experience.
You'll ideally have:
- Previous experience as a Café Manager, Coffee Shop Manager or Assistant Manager.
- A genuine passion for specialty coffee and hospitality.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Experience managing a busy café or hospitality environment.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- High standards with excellent attention to detail.
- A positive, hands-on approach.
- Confidence making decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience managing stock, labour and operational costs.
- A desire to continually improve standards and develop new ideas.
- Full right to work in the UK.
The Role
As Espresso Bar Manager, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running of Coffee World's Espresso Bar, leading a team with the support of two Assistant Managers.
You'll oversee every aspect of the café, ensuring consistently high standards of coffee, food, customer service and cleanliness while helping grow sales and developing an outstanding team culture.
You'll work closely with the Directors to continually improve the business, introduce new ideas and ensure the Espresso Bar remains one of Cambridge's leading independent coffee destinations.
Key Responsibilities
Daily Operations
- Oversee the daily running of the Espresso Bar with the support of two Assistant Managers.
- Ensure smooth day-to-day operation of the café.
- Deliver exceptional customer service.
- Maintain consistently high standards of coffee quality, food presentation and cleanliness.
- Open and close the café when required.
- Lead by example and support the team during busy service periods.
Team Management
- Recruit, interview and onboard new team members.
- Train and develop baristas and café staff.
- Produce weekly staff rotas.
- Manage staffing levels and labour hours effectively.
- Carry out regular coaching and performance reviews.
- Build a positive, motivated and supportive team culture.
Stock & Ordering
- Place supplier orders and manage stock levels.
- Monitor food, drink and retail stock.
- Rotate retail shelf stock to ensure freshness and presentation (shared responsibility).
- Minimise waste through effective stock control.
Financial Performance
- Track daily takings and café performance.
- Monitor wastage and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
- Manage labour costs and staffing efficiency.
- Help drive sales and achieve business targets.
Menu Development
- Work with the management team to develop seasonal food and drink menus.
- Introduce new drinks, food ideas and specials.
- Assist with creating and refining recipes and cooking items where required (shared responsibility).
Standards & Compliance
- Maintain excellent food hygiene standards.
- Ensure Health & Safety procedures are followed.
- Ensure company policies and operational procedures are consistently maintained.
- Maintain a clean, organised and welcoming environment for customers and staff.
Benefits
- Performance-related bonus
- Private healthcare
- Employee discount
- Free food and drinks while on shift
- Ongoing specialty coffee and management training
- Career progression opportunities
- Company events
- Friendly and supportive working environment
Additional Information
- Full-time
- Permanent position
- Based at Coffee World Roastery & Espresso Bar, Milton, Cambridge
Apply
If you're passionate about hospitality, specialty coffee and leading great people, we'd love to hear from you.
Please send your CV together with a short covering letter explaining why you'd like to join Coffee World.
Join Coffee World and help shape the future of one of Cambridge's most exciting independent coffee businesses.
Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
Application question(s):
- How many years experience have you had in specialty coffee?
Work Location: In person
