Cafe Manager

Role Purpose

The Café Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of Alice’s

Reporting to the General Manager, you will take ownership of the café team, daily service, guest experience and operational standards, ensuring the café runs smoothly and consistently delivers the warm, genuine hospitality Alice’s should be known for.

This is a hands-on management role. You will lead from the floor, work alongside your team and create an environment where both guests and colleagues feel welcomed, valued and looked after.

Our ethos is built around warmth, family values and a commitment to doing things Better, and you will be responsible for bringing this to life within the café every day.

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Café Leadership

• Take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the café.
• Lead and organise the team throughout each shift.
• Be visible and hands-on within the café, particularly during busy trading periods.
• Maintain excellent standards across hospitality, coffee, food, cleanliness and presentation.
• Ensure opening, closing and daily operational procedures are completed correctly.
• Identify issues quickly and take ownership of resolving them.
• Escalate wider operational concerns to the General Manager where appropriate.
• Support different duties or areas of the business where reasonably required to meet operational needs.

Outstanding Hospitality

• Put guests at the heart of the café operation.
• Lead by example in providing warm, attentive and genuine hospitality.
• Encourage the team to treat every customer as they would a guest in their own home.
• Build relationships with regular guests and the local community.
• Ensure customer queries, feedback and complaints are dealt with positively and professionally.
• Look for small opportunities to go above and beyond and create memorable guest experiences.
• Ensure the team understands that great hospitality is about more than completing a transaction.

Leading & Developing the Team

• Lead, motivate and support the café team.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment.
• Treat team members fairly and with dignity, respect and professionalism.
• Set clear expectations and ensure team members understand their responsibilities.
• Provide regular coaching, feedback and on-the-job training.
• Support the induction and training of new team members.
• Encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own development.
• Identify team members with the potential to take on additional responsibilities or progress within Alice’s.
• Address performance, conduct or attendance concerns promptly and raise these with the General Manager where appropriate.
• Celebrate team achievements and encourage people to support each other during challenging periods.

Rotas & Staffing

• Support the planning and management of café rotas.
• Ensure staffing levels are appropriate for expected trading levels.
• Organise the team effectively throughout each shift.
• Manage breaks appropriately and avoid unnecessary pressure on the team during key trading periods.
• Support the management of holiday requests and availability in line with company requirements.
• Ensure team members understand and follow timekeeping, attendance and sign-in procedures.

Commercial Awareness

• Understand the café's sales targets and contribute towards achieving them.
• Monitor stock, waste and controllable costs within the café.
• Support accurate and effective ordering and stock management.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales and improve the guest experience.
• Recognise changing trading patterns and communicate them to the General Manager.
• Use resources responsibly while maintaining the standards expected from Alice’s – a Mettricks Company.

Working with the Bakery

• Maintain excellent communication with the Lyndhurst bakery team.
• Ensure café requirements, product demand and availability are communicated clearly.
• Provide constructive feedback regarding products and guest demand.
• Work collaboratively with the bakery to maintain availability and minimise unnecessary waste.
• Support a one-team approach across the Lyndhurst operation.

Standards, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, personal hygiene and cleanliness.
• Ensure all appropriate daily checks and operational records are completed.
• Ensure health and safety procedures are understood and followed by the café team.
• Report and respond to hazards, maintenance issues or safety concerns promptly.
• Ensure the team maintains professional standards of appearance and behaviour.
• Make sure company equipment and property are treated responsibly.
• Follow and promote our policies and procedures at all times.

What We’re Looking For

You will ideally have:

• Previous supervisory, assistant management or management experience within hospitality, cafés, restaurants, food retail or a similar environment.
• Experience leading a team in a busy customer-facing environment.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and looking after people.
• A positive and approachable management style.
• Confidence providing feedback and maintaining standards.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise during busy periods.
• Good commercial awareness.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to take responsibility.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Barista or specialty coffee experience would be advantageous.

This role could suit an existing Café Manager or an experienced Assistant Manager ready to take the next step in their career.

Living the Oue Values

Every member of the our team is responsible for our culture, but as Café Manager you will have an important role in setting the example for others.

Warmth & Family Values - Make guests and colleagues feel welcome. Build relationships, look after people and help create a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

**Always Doing Things Better -**Look for opportunities to improve, whether that is making service smoother, developing a team member, improving a product or finding a better way of doing something.

Outstanding Hospitality - Treat customers like guests in your own home - with warmth, attention and genuine care. Encourage your team to do the same.

Pride & Professionalism - Take pride in the café and how it looks, feels and operates. Set a strong example and maintain high standards even when the café is busy.

Initiative & Ownership - Don't walk past a problem. Take responsibility, make sensible decisions and encourage your team to contribute ideas and improvements.

Teamwork - Support your colleagues, communicate openly and help create a team that works together and pulls together when things are tough.

Respect & Inclusion - Treat everyone fairly, professionally and respectfully. Help create a café where colleagues feel welcomed, valued and able to contribute.

Learning & Development - Be open to feedback and committed to your own development while helping others build their confidence, knowledge and skills.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Guests consistently receive warm, genuine and attentive hospitality.
• The café is organised, welcoming and well run.
• The team understands what is expected and works effectively together.
• Standards remain high throughout the day, including during busy periods.
• Team members receive regular feedback, coaching and support.
• Operational problems are noticed and addressed quickly.
• The café works collaboratively with the bakery and wider Lyndhurst team.
• Commercial targets and costs are understood and appropriately managed.
• The team continually looks for ways to do things Better.

Pay: £26,500.00-£27,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food

Work Location: In person