Cafe Team Leader

What you'll be doing | Te whakamahere

We are looking for an experienced Café Team Leader to help establish and lead the front-of-house operation of a new café at Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Reporting to and working closely with the Hospitality Manager, you will play a key role in setting up the café, building the team and establishing the service standards, systems and culture from the beginning. You will lead the day-to-day front-of-house operation and help create a welcoming and coordinated hospitality experience for visitors and manuhiri.

In this permanent 40 hour role, your core responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

F.O.H Operations

• Helping to establish front-of-house systems, procedures and service standards
• Leading daily café operations, including opening, service and closing
• Allocating duties and ensuring the café is appropriately staffed and prepared
• Overseeing point-of-sale, cash handling, cash-ups and reconciliation processes
• Monitoring customer flow, café presentation, cleanliness and service areas
• Resolving day-to-day operational and customer-service issues
• Identifying opportunities to improve café workflow, sales and efficiency

Team Leadership

• Setting and maintaining high standards of manaakitanga and customer service
• Inducting, training and supporting café employees
• Providing clear direction, coaching and on-the-job development
• Supporting rostering, attendance, timesheets and employee performance
• Responding professionally to customer feedback, concerns and complaints
• Ensuring employees have accurate information about menus, dietary options and allergens
• Creating a positive, respectful and professional team culture
• Working closely with the Hospitality Manager and Head Chef to deliver a coordinated service

Inventory, Safety & Compliance Oversight

• Acting as Duty Manager when rostered
• Ensuring alcohol is served in accordance with the organisation’s licence and legal requirements
• Managing F.O.H stock, consumables, beverages and service supplies
• Completing stocktakes and monitoring waste, breakages and stock variance
• Ensuring staff follow relevant Food Control Plan requirements
• Maintaining appropriate food display, hygiene, cleaning and allergen controls
• Ensuring food safety, cash-handling and operational records are completed accurately
• Promoting health, safety and wellbeing and ensuring incidents and hazards are reported promptly
• Supporting F.O.H delivery for functions and events as required.

What you'll need to be successful | Ō Pūkenga

You will be a positive and visible leader who can support the Hospitality Manager’s vision, take ownership and help establish a café team known for excellent service and genuine manaakitanga. Ideally you will have:

• Previous experience in a team leader, supervisor or senior hospitality role.
• Experience working in a busy café, restaurant, or events environment.
• Strong practical barista skills
• Excellent customer-service, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience training, supporting and motivating staff
• Experience with POS, cash handling, stock control and ordering.
• A good understanding of food safety, hygiene and allergen requirements.
• The ability to remain calm, organised and solutions-focused during busy periods.
• Confidence handling customer concerns and supporting team performance.
• An LCQ and current Manager’s Certificate for the sale and supply of alcohol, or the willingness and eligibility to obtain and maintain these.
• A current first aid certificate, or willingness to obtain one.
• Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays, events and varied shifts.

What's next | Te ara ki tua

If this sounds like the opportunity for you and you would like to help build something new at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, we would love to hear from you.

Interested applicants, please upload your Cover Letter and CV addressed to Liz Kilby, People & Governance Coordinator, by 25 October 2026.