Assistant Manager

Job Description: Assistant Café Manager

Job Title: Assistant Café Manager

Reports to: Café Manager / Owner

Location: Knutsford , Neki Cafe

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Purpose

To support the day-to-day running of the café, ensuring excellent customer service, high standards of food quality, cleanliness and presentation.

The Assistant Café Manager will help lead the team, maintain smooth daily operations and support the Café Manager or Owner in achieving the café’s business goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Daily Café Operations

• Assist with the opening and closing of the café.
• Ensure the café is clean, organised and ready for service.
• Oversee daily service and ensure operations run smoothly.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering supplies.
• Ensure food, drinks and displays are prepared and presented to a high standard.
• Handle customer enquiries, complaints and feedback professionally.

2. Staff Supervision and Support

• Support, motivate and supervise café staff during shifts.
• Help organise staff rotas and coordinate breaks where required.
• Lead by example, maintaining a positive and professional working environment.
• Ensure staff follow café procedures and service standards.

3. Customer Service

• Provide a friendly, welcoming and efficient service.
• Ensure customers have a positive experience.
• Resolve customer issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain the café’s reputation for quality, hospitality and consistency.

4. Food Safety, Hygiene and Health & Safety

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout the café.
• Ensure food hygiene and allergen procedures are followed.
• Monitor food storage, temperature checks, date labelling and stock rotation.
• Ensure equipment is used safely and maintained appropriately.

5. Stock and Financial Responsibilities

• Assist with stock control, deliveries and waste reduction.
• Monitor portion sizes and help minimise unnecessary costs.
• Operate the till and payment systems accurately.
• Support cash handling and end-of-day reconciliation where required.
• Help monitor sales, labour costs and other operating expenses.
• Report stock shortages, equipment issues and operational concerns to management.

6. General Responsibilities

• Assist the Café Manager or Owner with daily tasks and business priorities.
• Maintain a hands-on approach, coffee making, serving and clearing tables when needed.
• Ensure the café’s standards are maintained during busy periods.
• Carry out other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in a café, restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Experience supervising or supporting a team is desirable.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Good organisation, time management and problem-solving abilities.
• A positive attitude and willingness to lead by example.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a busy environment.
• Good understanding of food hygiene, allergen awareness and health and safety.
• Basic cash handling and stock control skills.

Personal Qualities

• Friendly, approachable and reliable.
• Proactive, responsible and able to use initiative.
• Flexible and willing to help wherever needed.
• Professional, trustworthy and organised.
• Passionate about good food, coffee and customer service.

Working Conditions

The role involves working in a busy café environment, including standing for extended periods, assisting with food and drink preparation, and occasional lifting of deliveries. Weekend and bank holiday work may be required, depending on the café’s opening hours.

Measures of Success

The Assistant Café Manager will be expected to help maintain:

• Consistently high standards of customer service.
• A clean, safe and well-presented café.
• Effective teamwork and reliable shift operations.
• Good stock control and reduced food waste.
• Consistent food and drink quality.
• Compliance with food safety and health and safety procedures.

The Assistant Café Manager is expected to support the Café Manager or Owner and take responsibility for the smooth running of delegated shifts.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £13.25 per hour

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person