Independent Coffee Shop General Manager
Coffee on the Crescent
Location: Hyde Park, Leeds
Salary: £35,000 + 10% profit share
Hours: 40 hours per week
Role Summary and Purpose
The General Manager is the key leadership role responsible for the overall success and day-to-day operations of Coffee on the Crescent. This is a unique hands-on position that requires a commercially aware, highly organised leader who leads by example.
The General Manager is responsible for ensuring industry-leading customer service, maximising team performance, and achieving strong financial results. This position comes with ultimate responsibility.
The successful candidate will possess sound judgment and the confidence to take charge, building rapport with the current team whilst commanding their respect and setting clear expectations. They will be proactive in anticipating issues - understanding that prevention is better than the cure - and apply judgment to deal with the inevitable issues that arise in a small business quickly, directly, professionally, and decisively.
Ultimately, this role requires someone who can successfully manage competing demands, bringing both warmth and natural authority to create a well-run, welcoming environment where customers receive outstanding customer service.
The role requires that standards are communicated clearly and staff are held accountable to them.
The candidate will be able to demonstrate succesfully driving innovation in their previous employment.
Key responsibilities
Day to Day Operations
- Oversee the daily running of the coffee shop to ensure it operates smoothly, efficiently, professionally and financially sustainably.
- Open and close the premises as required.
- Ensure the shop is clean, well presented, fully stocked, and ready for service at all times.
- Monitor service standards and ensure a consistently high-quality customer experience.
- Respond quickly and effectively to daily operational issues.
Team Leadership and Management
- Foster a positive, hardworking, and respectful team culture.
- Set the direction of the shop and utilise staff expertise to implement it.
- Lead, supervise, and support the team on a day-to-day basis.
- Set clear expectations for staff performance, conduct, and presentation.
- Implement firm, fair, and consistent people management practices to foster accountability and responsibility across all levels.
- Address issues relating to performance, time keeping, attitude, or standards promptly and appropriately.
- Organise rotas and staffing levels to meet the needs of the business and reflect the seasonal nature of Coffee on the Crescent.
- Manage the full recruitment, induction, and retention process for all staff.
- Support the induction and training of new staff.
Customer Service
- Maintain a warm, welcoming, and professional environment for all customers and staff.
- Handle customer queries, concerns, and complaints promptly and effectively.
- Lead by example in delivering excellent service.
- Build strong relationships with regular customers and actively contribute to the positive reputation of the business.
Stock and Financial Oversight
- Monitor stock levels and ensure timely ordering of supplies.
- Maintain and strengthen existing relationships with suppliers and create new ones.
- Minimise waste and support good stock control practices.
- Monitor sales, costs, and overall shop performance in order to make informed data driven decisions.
Compliance and Standards
- Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, and all relevant operating standards.
- Ensure equipment is maintained, used correctly, and any issues are dealt with appropriately.
- Follow company policies, procedures, and licensing requirements where relevant.
Commercial Performance
- Ensure the commercial success of the coffee shop through strong operational management.
- Monitor service efficiency, staffing costs, waste, and stock usage to drive profitability.
- Identify opportunities and effectively implement improvements to customer experience, profitability, and staff training.
- Take pride in maintaining a high-quality independent offer that stands out locally.
- Effectively use the existing social media and online presence to further improve the business.
- Leverage financial reports (P&L and balance sheets) to make informed, strategic decisions that support business growth.
Personality Specifications
Essential Experience
- Experience managing in a coffee shop, café, hospitality, or similar customer-facing environment with ultimate responsibility for its financial sustainability.
- Knowledge of the key performance indicators coffee shops must hit in order to stay viable.
- Proven experience leading a small team and managing day-to-day operations.
- Experience dealing with staff performance, conduct, or standards.
- Experience organising rotas and staffing cover.
- Experience handling customer complaints and resolving issues professionally.
- Experience in stock control, ordering, and supplier liaison.
- Experience interpreting financial reports in order to make informed strategic decisions.
- Experience maintaining standards relating to food hygiene, health and safety, and general presentation.
Essential Skills and Knowledge
- Strong leadership skills with the confidence and presence to command respect.
- Able to set clear expectations and manage people with accountability and consistency.
- Confident in addressing issues quickly, directly, calmly, and professionally.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent judgement and decision-making skills.
- Able to work at pace and remain calm under pressure.
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
- Commercial awareness, with an understanding of how to balance service, quality, and cost control.
- Good knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety requirements.
- Able to lead from the front and take ownership of the operation.
Personal Qualities
- Sharp, practical, and highly attentive.
- Firm, fair, and consistent management style.
- Credible presence with natural authority.
- Reliable, resilient, and hardworking.
- High standards with a strong attention to detail.
- Proactive and willing to take responsibility.
- Approachable and professional.
- Committed to creating a well-run, respectful, and accountable team culture.
Desirable
- Barista experience and strong product knowledge.
- Experience working in an independent coffee shop or small business setting.
- Experience supporting local marketing, promotions, or community engagement.
- Knowledge of basic business reporting or performance tracking.
How to Apply
If you are ready to lead one of England’s best coffee shops and believe you have the experience, judgement, and presence to manage this role effectively, please send your CV and a supporting statement outlining how you meet the requirements to [email protected]
Deadline 12th July 2026
We are actively interviewing for this role and reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.
Pay: £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
