Cafe Manager

WH Smith Australia; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WHSmith Australia is seeking a Café Manager to oversee two cafés, ensuring exceptional customer service and smooth daily operations in a fast-paced environment. You will lead a team, manage stock and rotas, and uphold HACCP standards while maintaining a welcoming store culture.

We value experienced leaders with Food Safety Supervisor certification and preferred First Aid certification. Flexible, multi-site management experience is highly regarded, with opportunities for growth within our

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a similar role.
• Experience in multi-site management is desirable.
• Leadership and coaching skills required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily café operations including staff management, stock control, and customer service.
• Open/close the café following company processes.
• Manage cash handling procedures during shifts.
• Lead and motivate the store team to achieve performance targets.
• Recruit, onboard and train new team members.
• Maintain HACCP-compliant food safety and workplace health standards.

Skills

Staff management

Customer service

People leadership

Education

Food Safety Supervisor certification

First Aid certification

Job description

As a manager of two of our Cafes, you will play an integral role in providing exceptional and efficient customer service to our patrons and regulars, alongside a passion for all things coffee!

What being a Café Manager is all about:

Oversee all aspects of daily café operations, including staff management, stock control, catering and customer service.

Open and close the café as required, following company process.

Manage cash handling procedures, including secure counting and reconciliation during opening and closing shifts.

Lead, manage, and motivate the store team to achieve performance targets and deliver exceptional customer service.

Recruit, onboard, and train new team members, ensuring they are well-versed in store processes and procedures.

Ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming café environment that reflects our brand values.

Oversee administrative tasks, including rostering, to ensure efficient store operations.

Regularly report store performance, operational issues, and feedback to the Area Manager.

Communicate effectively with team members to ensure alignment with store goals and expectations.

Maintain equipment cleanliness in accordance with internal procedures and HACCP standards.

Adhere to workplace health and safety guidelines, promoting best practices across the team.

What our Stores would love to see:

Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in multi-site management

Food Safety Supervisor certification (required).

First Aid certification (preferred).

Ability to prioritise and handle multiple tasks effectively, in a high catering environment.

Experience managing food compliance alongside HACCP guidelines

Experience managing stock and distribution

Experience in managing labour costs across a multi-site business unit

Effective staff management and coaching skills

Flexibility with work hours and locations

How we reward our Teams:

Fun, inclusive, and supportive team culture.

Access to 24/7 wellbeing support through our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Opportunities to grow and develop within the company!

Generous employee discounts across a range of our products and retail partners through the Beny app

Be part of a local cafe that values quality and community.

We’re not just here for our customers’ journeys - we want to make every career journey better too!

About Food by WHSmith Australia

Our Food by WHSmith cafes are located in some of Australia’s largest hospitals, offering a fast-paced and vibrant work environment for team members who thrive in a collaborative setting. We are driven by our core values: Value our People, Drive for Results, Customer Focus & Accountability.

We believe in making a positive impact not only within our teams but also in our local communities by delivering exceptional service in hospitality. We’re looking for team players who are eager to contribute to a positive and supportive workplace, so if these values align with yours and you share our passion for delivering exceptional customer service, we would love to hear from you!

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

WHSmith is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment. We recognise the importance of equity in all that we do, as well as promoting a culture of inclusion through our policies, procedures and working practices. If you have any support requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application, so we can assist you appropriately during the recruitment process.