Cafe Assistant

Rothamsted Research; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Free car parking

Job summary

Rothamsted Enterprises Café in Harpenden is seeking a part-time Café Assistant to support daily operations and deliver high-quality customer service. You will gain barista skills and work in a friendly, customer‑focused environment on a campus setting.

The role involves preparing espresso-based drinks, handling payments via EPOS, and maintaining cleanliness and safety standards. A team-oriented, detail‑driven approach is valued.

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs (including Maths and English) or equivalent qualification.
• Strong customer service and communication skills are essential.
• Proven ability to work well in a team and stay calm in busy periods.

Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent customer service and assist customers in a friendly, professional manner.
• Prepare quality coffees and beverages following recipes and standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and food safety, support opening/closing procedures.
• Work with the Café Supervisor and team, assist with stock checks and service areas.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Five GCSEs including Maths & English

Tools

EPOS system

Job description

Are you looking for a customer-facing part‑time role in hospitality?

Do you like interacting with people and providing exceptional customer service?

This could be your next opportunity; join our hospitality team.

We are looking for an experienced Café Assistant to support the day‑to‑day operation of the Rothamsted Enterprises Café based in Harpenden. The position offers an opportunity to develop barista and hospitality skills within a supportive and customer‑focused environment.

The Campus Café serves both the Rothamsted community and the wider public, providing high‑quality coffee, breakfast, lunch and refreshments in a welcoming environment. Our culture is friendly, supportive, ambitious and customer‑focused, with a strong commitment to learning, development and excellence in hospitality.

What you’ll do

Working under the direction of the Café Supervisor. The role focuses on delivering excellent customer service, preparing quality coffee and beverages, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety, and contributing positively to the café team.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Welcoming and assisting customers in a friendly and professional manner to maintain our welcoming café environment.
• Take orders and process payments accurately using the EPOS system.
• Preparing and serving our quality food and beverages.
• Respond to customer enquiries.

Coffee & Beverage Preparation

• Preparing espresso‑based coffees, teas and other drinks.
• Following recipes and maintaining our quality standards
• Grinding and dosing coffee
• Milk texturing and steaming
• Safely operate coffee equipment.
• Monitor stock levels of beverage ingredients.

Cleanliness, Food Safety & Presentation

• Maintain clean workstations and customer areas.
• Follow food hygiene, allergen and health & safety procedures.
• Support opening and closing procedures.
• Ensure stock is rotated and stored correctly.

Teamwork & Operational Support

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and the Café Supervisor.
• Replenish stock and prepare service areas.
• Assist with stock checks and stocktakes.
• Support wider hospitality operations when required.
• Assist with kitchen portering duties when needed.

Professional Development

Participate in training and development.

• Develop coffee‑making and customer service skills.
• Complete mandatory food safety and health & safety training.
• Respond positively to coaching and feedback.

About You

You will have experience working within a hospitality or café environment and be confident in a customer‑facing role. You will demonstrate a flexible approach to work, with strong communication and interpersonal skills. As a team player, you will have a friendly and approachable manner while also being capable of working independently and using your own initiative when required. A strong eye for detail and the ability to stay calm when the café is busy.

You will have a full and valid clean driving licence or have the ability to get to our Harpenden site.

What we are looking for.

• Five GCSEs (including Maths and English) or equivalent qualification and some relevant work experience.
• Ability to comply with food hygiene, allergen and health & safety requirements, ideally with a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to follow procedures and recipes accurately.
• Good attention to detail and cleanliness standards.
• Friendly and approachable manner and the ability to stay calm during busy periods.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a friendly team at Rothamsted Enterprises, working in a unique environment based on a large campus

What we can offer you:

• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• 25 days' annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free car parking

Interviews commence from the 12th October 2026

This vacancy does not meet the Home Office requirements; therefore, please ensure you are eligible or already hold the legal right to work in the UK.

About The Company

Rothamsted Enterprises Limited (REL) was established in 2015 by its shareholders: Lawes Agricultural Trust, Rothamsted Research and BBSRC. REL is a commercial organisation that generates income which is gifted back to its partners to support the world‑leading science and research undertaken by Rothamsted Research.

REL's strategic objectives are to:

• Foster relationships both on and off campus.
• Facilitate opportunities for collaboration, growth and impact.
• Align commercial activity with wider Government priorities.

Rothamsted Enterprises manages a diverse commercial portfolio, including office and laboratory space, a modern conference centre, and the Campus Café.

The Campus Café is open to both the Rothamsted community and members of the public, providing a welcoming environment for breakfast, lunch, refreshments and quality coffee throughout the working day.

Our team culture is supportive, friendly, honest, hardworking and ambitious. We are committed to learning and development, equality and diversity, and creating an excellent customer experience across all our hospitality services.