Assistant Café Manager

Eastlands Venue Services Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Group Life Assurance

Birthday Day Off

Complimentary Meals on Shift

Employee Discounts Platform

Company Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Eastlands Venue Services Limited is seeking an Assistant Café Manager to support the Restaurant Manager in running Medlock Square's hospitality spaces. You will be hands-on on the floor, coaching staff, and stepping in to lead shifts during busy periods, including matchdays and major events.

The role focuses on maintaining guest-first service, driving standards, and building a high-performing, collaborative team across FOH and BOH whilst ensuring compliance and exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Supervisory or assistant management experience in hospitality.
• Strong leadership and team-support skills.
• Passion for guest experience and service quality.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Desirable: experience in hotel, premium casual, or destination dining environments.
• Desirable: experience in event-led or large-scale operations.
• Desirable: knowledge of reservations systems and POS platforms.
• Desirable: prior Barista experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the Restaurant Manager in leading day-to-day operation, ensuring smooth service and a high-quality guest experience.
• Be visible on the floor, coaching the team and leading shifts when required.
• Drive standards, develop the team, and ensure efficient operations across service periods.
• Lead on service, rota planning, reservations, and guest satisfaction initiatives.
• Ensure health & safety, food safety, licensing standards and maintain records.

Skills

Leadership

Team support

Guest experience

Communication

Organisational skills

Job description

Assistant Café Manager

Department: Hospitality Salaried

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Medlock Square

Reporting To: Josh Knill

Description

Medlock Square marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of the Etihad Campus — a vibrant, year‑round destination for culture, leisure and entertainment, set alongside two global icons: the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, and the landmark Co‑op Live arena.

Named after the River Medlock that runs beneath the site, the development celebrates Manchester’s industrial heritage while shaping its next era of city‑defining experiences. Manchester is known worldwide for its sport, music and entertainment — and Medlock Square will build on that legacy, creating a landmark home for exceptional shared moments and elevating the city’s position as one of Europe’s most dynamic, fast‑growing destinations.

At the heart of this new district will be an extraordinary food and beverage offer: from relaxed coffee houses and all‑day dining to flagship restaurants and premium culinary experiences. Designed to serve both everyday visitors and major event audiences, Medlock Square will deliver high-quality hospitality all week long and across the events calendar.

Key Responsibilities

As Assistant Restaurant Manager, you’ll support the Restaurant Manager in leading the day‑to‑day operation of the venue, ensuring smooth service, strong team performance, and a consistently high‑quality guest experience.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll be visible on the floor, supporting service, coaching the team, and stepping in to lead shifts when required.

You’ll play a key part in driving standards, developing the team, and ensuring the restaurant operates efficiently across all service periods, including high‑volume matchdays and events

You will be responsible for:

Service & Operations

Support the delivery of exceptional guest experiences across all service periods while leading shifts and maintaining smooth day‑to‑day restaurant operations. Act as the main point of contact in the absence of the Restaurant Manager and ensure strong coordination between FOH and BOH teams.

Team Leadership & Development

Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management of team members. Lead by example on the floor, deliver team briefings, and help build a positive, high‑performing team culture.

Commercial & Operational Performance

Support achievement of sales targets, labour efficiency, stock control, and operational KPIs. Assist with rota planning, reservations, service flow, and implementing initiatives to improve service delivery and guest satisfaction.

Compliance & Collaboration

Ensure adherence to health & safety, food safety, and licensing standards while maintaining accurate operational records. Work closely with the Restaurant Manager and Head Chef to support continuous improvement across the operation.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential

• Experience in a supervisory or assistant management role within hospitality
• Strong leadership and team support skills
• Passion for guest experience and service quality
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment
• Strong communication and organisational skills

Desirable

• Experience in hotel, premium casual, or destination dining environments
• Experience in event‑led or large‑scale operations
• Knowledge of reservations systems and POS platforms
• Prior Barista experience would be advantageous

Job Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
• Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
• Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
• Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
• Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
• Employee Discounts Platform (Blackhawk) – cashback and savings across major retailers
• Company Pension Scheme
• Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
• Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus