Assistant Shop and Café Manager

Village Greens (Prestwich) Co-operative Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Village Greens is a community-owned organic supermarket and café in Prestwich seeking an Assistant Shop and Café Manager to support daily operations and lead in the Manager's absence.

You will supervise staff and volunteers, ensure food safety and hygiene standards, and help deliver excellent customer service within a cooperative, values-led team.

This role offers flexible hours (~30 per week) in a friendly, local, purpose-driven shop that reinvests profits back into the community.

Qualifications

• Proven experience supervising staff or volunteers in retail or hospitality.
• Hands-on experience with EPOS systems, cash handling, stock rotation, and waste management.
• Good understanding of food safety and workplace standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily floor operations, keep shop and cafe clean, stocked and visually engaging.
• Lead operations in Manager's absence.
• Manage staff and volunteer rotas, training and onboarding.

Skills

Team supervision

Daily operations

Inclusive leadership

Food safety

Communication

Co-op values

Digital and social media

Barista skills

Customer service

EPOS systems

Tools

EPOS systems

Job description

Position Type: Full-Time / Part-Time (c. 30 hours per week)

Location: Village Greens Community Co-op, Prestwich

Village Greens is a community-owned organic supermarket and café in the heart of Prestwich. We are open 7 days per week. Our mission is to be a community hub for happy, healthy, and sustainable living. As a community-owned co-operative, we provide quality products and services that are healthy for mind, body, and pocket, while ensuring our profits are reinvested right back into the local community.

Role Purpose

As Assistant Shop and Café Manager, you will work hand-in-hand with the Shop and Café Manager to oversee daily operations, support our team, and champion our ethical mission. You will ensure commercial excellence on the shop floor, step up to lead operations in the Manager's absence, and foster a welcoming environment for customers, staff, and volunteers alike.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Support and Floor Management
   • Daily Excellence : Supervise daily floor operations, keeping the shop and café clean, fully stocked, and visually engaging.
   • Process Execution : Maintain core retail and café processes to keep workflows efficient, fast, and organized.
   • Stock Control : Manage daily stock rotation, minimise food waste, and coordinate with suppliers for reliable stock availability.
   • Manager Deputisation : Assume full operational responsibility for the store and café during the Manager's absence.
2. Compliance and Safety
   • Standards Maintenance : Enforce strict adherence to ethical, legal, and regulatory standards on every shift.
   • Regulatory Compliance : Maintain paperwork and daily checks for Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, Weights and Measures, and Soil Association certifications.
   • Safe Environment : Ensure a safe, clean, and hygienic environment for all staff, volunteers, and visitors.
3. Team Leadership and Coaching
   • Rota and Support : Assist with staff and volunteer rotas, ensuring adequate coverage across both the shop and café.
   • Volunteer Engagement : Support, motivate, and guide a diverse team of paid staff and dedicated community volunteers.
   • Training Delivery : Assist in delivering practical training programmes to build team confidence and operational efficiency.
   • Positive Culture : Cultivate a respectful, high-morale workplace focused on outstanding teamwork and inclusive values.
4. Customer and Community Engagement
   • Service Standards : Lead by example on the shop floor, providing exceptional service that welcomes and supports our community.
   • Community Connection : Help coordinate in-store community activities and gather customer feedback to improve our product range.

Person Specification: What You Bring

• Team Supervision : Proven experience as an Assistant Manager or supervisor in a retail or hospitality environment.
• Daily Operations : Hands-on experience with EPOS systems, cash handling, stock rotation, and waste management.
• Inclusive Leadership : Ability to motivate, guide, and support paid staff and community volunteers of all backgrounds and ages.
• Core Compliance : Good understanding of food safety, health and safety, and workspace standards. Knowledge of basic UK employment practices (including the Equality Act 2010 and Employment Rights Act 2026).
• Communication : Clear, friendly, and accessible communication style for interacting with the Board, customers, volunteers, and local suppliers.
• Co-op values : An understanding of, or passion for, cooperative values and community-led businesses.
• Digital and Social Media : Experience updating social media channels or assisting with local shop marketing.
• Barista and Café Skills : Competence in operating professional espresso machinery and a willingness to train staff and volunteers.
• Food Safety Certification : Possession of a Level 2 (or higher) Food Safety and Hygiene certificate.

Diversity and Inclusion

Village Greens is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for each employee to feel respected, supported, and able to give their best.