Cafe Manager

Host Café is an ethical, not-for-profit café run by St Mary Aldermary Church in the City of London; the trading surplus is returned to the church as a service charge and donation. In our unique setting, we provide a welcoming space for City workers, freelancers, visitors, tourists, and many others to relax, reflect and connect. We believe in an inclusive church - one that does not discriminate on any grounds, including economic status, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality.

We are committed to contributing to our community. We do this through partnerships with social enterprises, operating a suspended coffee scheme, and putting our heart into everything we do.

Being part of Host Café and St Mary Aldermary means being valued, making a difference, and being part of something larger than just a workplace.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Café Manager who can lead our café team and also represent St Mary Aldermary Church when needed - whether that be with customers, visitors or the wider community. The successful candidate will work closely with the priest and the Church community, ensuring that the values of the Church are reflected in the café every day.

The nature of this job will evolve according to the strengths of the successful candidate, but a flexible outlook and a commitment to the needs of the cafe and the church are essential.

Hours

The full-time post is the equivalent of 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5.30 pm, with occasional additional hours for evenings and weekends.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong Barista skills (dialling in, latte art, brewing)
• Passionate about hospitality & trends in the speciality coffee industry
• Exceptional customer service skills with a friendly & approachable demeanour
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Experienced in managing teams & busy services
• An excellent communicator & team player
• Keen eye for detail & sense of urgency
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (Supervising Food Safety in Catering)

Principal responsibilities & competencies

Cafe management

• Recruit, induct, train, appraise and develop staff and volunteers, including delegating tasks as appropriate, including assessing staffing levels for profitability
• Oversee the rota for staff and volunteers, ensuring reasonable and adequate staffing levels
• Work in the cafe serving customers, particularly at busy times or when short-staffed
• Monitoring staff sickness rates and annual leave, and managing the payroll in collaboration with the bookkeeper
• Deliver consistent, exceptional product quality and customer service to every customer, leading by example
• Overseeing the order of stock, regular stock takes and ensuring products are stored appropriately
• To set and achieve sales and performance targets in consultation with the Guild Church Council
• Maintain and develop the quality of our coffee and ensure our continued inclusion in recognised coffee guides (such as the London Best Coffee guide)
• Develop marketing strategies to attract customers to the cafe, including the website, social media, signage, leaflets and other promotions
• Obtaining at month-end statements and invoices from all suppliers, authorising the invoices and handing these to the bookkeeper
• Maintain all paper and electronic records, ensuring that records are easily accessible, complete and clear
• Handle and/or direct incoming telephone enquiries
• Develop procedures and policies, and ensure they are followed for

Health & Safety (including performing risk assessments)
Food Safety
Fire Safety
Allergen awareness
Safe working and emergency procedures

• Ensure all safeguarding requirements are met
• Maintenance of all cafe equipment and supplies

Building & cafe

• Manage letting of the church in conjunction with the Church Administrator, ensuring that events are staffed as necessary.
• Make minor modifications and repairs personally, work together with the church administrator, organising and managing any major repairs
• Coordinate any one-off projects that may be required
• Take responsibility for subcontractors brought on site to carry out specific projects, ensuring they carry out work to the required standard and within health and safety guidelines
• Work with the Church Architect on any matters that may affect the fabric of the building
• Ensure the premises meet all relevant health and safety requirements and report any deficiencies to the Vicar and Church Administrator
• Managing the boundaries between the cafe space and the church sanctuary
• Ensure the church and cafe area are cleaned after trading hours every day

Development

• To develop plans for more provision of food and drinks, depending on the profitability and feasibility, and implement these plans
• To develop and implement plans for the expansion of the Cafe, in consultation with the Guild Vicar, GCC and other stakeholders
• To collaborate with church staff on building refurbishments and our Net-Zero project

Other responsibilities

• To attend Staff meetings, including Guild Church Council Meetings as require
• To assist the Guild Vicar with business planning for Host, including meetings with Archdeaconry officers concerning business planning
• To chair delegated meetings associated with the project area/s, the post holder facilitates
• To assist staff and volunteers in meeting the administration and cleaning tasks of the Host area and the church

Holiday 28 days, including public holidays

Salary £34,000 per annum

Application deadline 4th of October

Start date 20th of October