Café Assistant

Freedom Leisure; Tenterden; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 13,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Cycle-to-work and car leasing schemes

Discounted staff membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Financial advice

Incremental annual leave entitlement

My Staff Shop benefits

Fully funded training and development

Insurance schemes

Job summary

Freedom Leisure is seeking a friendly Café Assistant to join the team at Tenterden Leisure Centre. You will warmly welcome customers, serve drinks and snacks, and ensure great service in a fast-paced environment.

Role involves till operation, barista-style coffee, hygiene standards, and supporting events. A positive attitude, flexibility, and teamwork are essential; full training is provided. 17.5–21 hours per week, on-site at the centre.

Qualifications

• Customer-facing experience in leisure or service settings.
• Willingness to learn barista skills and coffee preparation.
• Ability to multitask in a busy environment and deliver friendly service.

Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors with a smile in a friendly, professional manner.
• Accurately operate till systems and handle cash/card payments.
• Provide up-to-date information on centre facilities and services.
• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, including barista-style coffee.
• Offer light snacks and pre-packaged food items.
• Maintain food hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Replenish café stock and vending machines as needed.
• Keep café spaces clean, organised and customer-friendly.
• Support events and activities within the centre as part of the team.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Barista experience

Team player

Flexible

Tools

Till systems

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, approachable and customer-focused Café Assistant to join our café team. In this role, you'll be providing a warm welcome and will deliver excellent service in our café. If you enjoy working with people and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you., Customer Service

• Welcome all visitors with a smile in a friendly and professional manner.
• Accurately operate till systems.
• Provide up-to-date information on centre facilities.

Café & Retail Service

• Prepare and serve hot and cold drinks, including barista-style coffee.
• Offer a range of light snacks and pre-packaged food items.
• Always ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Replenish café stock and vending machines as required.
• Keep café spaces clean, well-organised and customer friendly.

Teamwork & Operational Support

• Work as part of a collaborative, multi-skilled team.
• Support the delivery of events and activities within the centre.
• Follow Freedom Leisure's policies on safeguarding, health & safety and customer care.
• Participate in relevant training and ongoing professional development.

Please note: If a high volume of suitable applications is received, we may close this vacancy earlier than advertised. Early applications are encouraged.

Hours: 17.5 - 21 hours per week, Monday - Sunday (rota basis)

We're looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about delivering outstanding customer service.
• Comfortable using till systems and handling cash/card payments.
• Barista experience is desirable but training can be provided.
• Able to multitask and remain calm in a busy environment.
• A proactive, flexible and reliable team player.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in a customer-facing role in leisure, fitness or community service settings.
• Hospitality or Retail experience delivering customer excellence.

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure - Do Good Feel Good!

At Freedom Leisure, we're all about positive vibes, great people, and making a real impact. Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools-but at the heart of it all, it's our people who make the difference. As one of the UK's leading charitable leisure trusts, we're proud of our mission: Improving Lives Through Leisure. We're here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone-because everyone deserves to feel good. We're all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile-every single day. We create spaces where people feel at home, supported, and inspired. If you're passionate about helping others and love creating great experiences, you'll feel right at home with us. You don't need to be an expert to get started-we'll give you all the training and support you need. With over 130 centres across England and Wales, there's loads of room to grow. Many of our team have built amazing careers doing what they love, helping customers day-to-day and making people feel good - one smile at a time. We're proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued, and supported to thrive-because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together. This is your place, this is where you matter. Tenterden Leisure Centre provides an exciting range of activities for residents and visitors alike. Including a leisure pool, a fitness suite, exercise studios and sports hall providing a wide range of activities. The centre also boasts a lovely café providing a focal point for the community.

At Freedom Leisure, we believe a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation and enhances the services we provide. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

• Company pension
• Cycle-to-work and car leasing tax-efficient schemes
• Discounted staff membership (including family members)
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling
• Financial advice
• Incremental annual leave entitlement
• My Staff Shop employee benefits scheme, offering discounts on cinema tickets, travel, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and everyday spending
• Fully funded training and development, with career progression opportunities
• Various insurance and savings schemes