Assistant Cafe Manager

The Big Group; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Big Group is seeking an experienced Front of House Second in Charge (2IC) for our State Library Victoria cafés. You will lead on the floor, coach the team, and ensure fast, friendly service while maintaining high energy and a positive customer experience.

You will work closely with the Café Manager to oversee daily operations, staffing, and service standards across Guild Café and Biblio Café, helping create memorable guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a café team in a busy environment.
• Proven ability to coach and develop staff on floor and service skills.
• Strong customer service focus with energy and personality.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the floor with the Café Manager to run daily operations.
• Provide fast, friendly, and spirited service to guests.
• Coach baristas and floor staff, building confidence and teamwork.
• Assist with rostering, shifts, and stock readiness for service.
• Collaborate with kitchen and wider operations on events and menus.
• Ensure food safety, WHS, and compliance during shifts.

Skills

People leadership

Café supervisory

Barista/coffee skills

Customer service

Calm under pressure

Team collaboration

Job description

About Us:

At The Big Group, we are all about the essence of true hospitality, made for the 21st century. From sourcing ingredients, training our staff, and curating the details, the great Art of Australian Hospitality is its ability to flex from formal to relaxed, ultra-contemporary to authentically multicultural, and to show everyone a good time. When it comes to our team, Fun is Fundamental! We believe that a dynamic and enjoyable work environment is key to delivering exceptional service. Our team is passionate, energetic, and dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests while having a great time doing it!

Our Venues:

Our venues Ormond House, Luminare, Glasshouse and State Library Victoria (SLV) provide stunning event spaces for corporate dinners, conferences, cocktail parties, private occasions, weddings, milestone celebrations, and everything in-between. In addition, we also have a Production Kitchen in North Melbourne to support the volume of events within our venues.

Position Overview:

We are looking for an experienced and energetic Front of House Second in Charge (2IC) to join our café team at State Library Victoria, supporting the day-to-day operations of Guild Café and Biblio Café. Working closely with our Front of House Café Manager, you will be a key leader on the floor - setting the pace, supporting the team and making sure our customers receive fast, friendly and spirited service every day. This is a hands-on role for someone who loves being in the action. Most of your week will be spent on the floor or coffee machine, leading by example, coaching the team and helping create the positive energy and great customer experience we want our cafés to be known for.

Main Duties:

• Support and lead from the floor - Work closely with the Café Manager to run smooth daily operations, lead shift briefings, delegate tasks, manage breaks, solve problems and keep the team moving during busy periods.
• Create an exceptional customer experience - Set the standard for warm, fast and spirited service, ensuring customers are welcomed promptly and leave with a memorable impression of The Big Group.
• Coach and develop the team - Provide ongoing feedback, training and support to our baristas and floor team, helping build confidence, capability and a strong team culture.
• Support strong café performance - Help manage staffing and labour requirements, drive sales through genuine upselling and ensure products, stock and visual merchandising are ready for service.
• Keep the day running smoothly - Support rostering and shift changes, opening and closing procedures, POS and booking systems, maintenance, food safety, WHS and compliance requirements.
• Work as one team - Collaborate closely with the Café Manager, kitchen, coffee and wider operations teams to keep everyone informed about menus, products, events and service priorities.

Skills and Experience Required:

• A natural people leader - You enjoy being on the floor with your team, giving direction, jumping in when needed and creating an environment that is positive, accountable and fun.
• Strong café experience - You have solid experience in a busy café or hospitality environment and are ready to step into a senior supervisory or 2IC position.
• Confident coffee skills - You are comfortable working on the coffee machine and understand the importance of speed, consistency and quality during busy service.
• Customer obsessed - You genuinely enjoy interacting with customers and understand how great service, attention to detail and personality can turn a simple café visit into a memorable experience.
• Calm under pressure - You can prioritise, delegate and problem-solve when things get busy without losing your energy or connection with the team.
• A team-first mindset - You communicate openly, take feedback well and are just as comfortable supporting the Café Manager as you are stepping up and leading the team when required.