Cafe Coordinator

Spring Community Hub; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local community hub in Greater London seeks a Cafe Coordinator to lead operations at their weekend cafe. The role requires experience in hospitality, excellent leadership skills, and a passion for community service. You will manage volunteers, ensure high-quality food service, and engage with local residents while upholding food safety standards. Flexibility to work weekends is essential, with the potential for a full-time role in the future.

Benefits

Friendly working environment

Continual learning opportunities

London Living Wage

Qualifications

• Experience working in a cafe or hospitality environment.
• A passion for people and community.
• Basic IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee cafe operations every weekend.
• Manage and support volunteers effectively.
• Build positive relationships with the community.
• Handle financial responsibilities such as budget management.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Culinary skills

Education

Food Safety Level 2

Job description

Cafe Coordinator

2025/2026

About Us

Spring Community Hub exists to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. But we don't just provide food - we work alongside people to help them escape poverty, build confidence, and find community.

We offer a range of support including advice and advocacy services (employment, immigration), youth clubs, holiday activities, women's groups, a clothing bank, and food-related services such as a food bank, social supermarket, and now, our growing network of community cafes.

Mission

The mission of SCH is that through a 'Community Hub' and full activity programme, local people in or at risk of crisis will be supported along their journey to move on and achieve full social, economic and emotional independence to live healthy lives in a community which supports each other.

Vision

Our vision at Spring Community Hub is to tackle food insecurity and hunger before people find themselves in crisis. We want to see equality in our communities and be a vehicle for positive and lasting change in our clients so that they never need a Food Bank again.

Values

• An organisation that is driven by people with integrity and commitment to the cause.
• We believe in leadership, development, growth, and continual learning.
• Ensuring fairness, equity and equality.
• Creating a place of respect, kindness and dignity for all.
• A healthy environment where people have fun and can be creative.

Salary

Contract

Hours of work

14.78 per hour Permanent, Part?Time (potential to expand to full?time) Weekends (Saturday & Sunday, 9am‑2pm). This is a fixed weekend role based primarily at our Havering site. Flexibility is required to work outside core weekend hours and to cover additional shifts across all Spring Community Cafes locations in Lewington, Walworth and Havering, when operationally needed.

Primary Location: St George's Health & Wellness Hub, Hornchurch

Other locations: Walworth Central Hall, Peabody Estate, London SE17 1BQ

Lewington Centre 9 Eugenia Rd, London SE16 2RU

Main Purposes of Job and Key Tasks

We're looking for a reliable, values-driven Weekend Cafe Lead to support the running of our Havering Community Cafe. We expect a strong level of commitment, professionalism, and care in ensuring the cafe runs smoothly, volunteers feel supported, and guests receive a warm and positive experience.

This is more than a job - it's a chance to help local residents thrive, create meals that nourish body and mind, and build a cafe that becomes a cornerstone of the community.

Primary duties include:

• Lead weekend Cafe Operations: Oversee smooth, efficient running of the cafe. Ensure high‑quality, nutritious and affordable food is served. Maintain excellent food hygiene, health & safety and SFBB standards. Manage stock, ordering, and supplier relationships. Shape the Cafe Experience Design menus using surplus and seasonal ingredients. Contribute to the cafe's atmosphere, layout, and customer experience. Develop cafe‑based activities that bring local residents together.
• Lead and Support Volunteers: Recruit, train, inspire and supervise a team of volunteers. Create fair and efficient volunteer rotas. Empower volunteers, some of whom may have additional needs, to build skills and confidence.
• Community & Customer Engagement: Build positive relationships with residents, partners and stakeholders. Host community groups and events. Provide warm, inclusive and responsive customer service.
• Financial & Administrative Responsibilities: Manage budgets, track sales and oversee cash handling. Support financial reporting and income generation. Uphold all operational policies and contribute to continuous improvement.

Person Specification

Experience working in a cafe, kitchen or hospitality environment (management desirable). A passion for people, community and creating inclusive spaces. Creative approach to cooking with surplus and seasonal produce. Strong organisational, leadership and problem‑solving skills. Warm, confident communication style. Ability to work flexibly. Basic IT skills.

Qualifications

Essential: Food Safety Level 2 (or willingness to obtain)

Desirable: First Aid certificate; experience working with volunteers; experience in a charity/community setting

Skills: Basic culinary skills, including food preparation and cleaning.

Personal Attributes

Kind, patient and people‑centred. Values‑driven and committed to dignity for all. Able to thrive in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment. Eager to learn, grow and contribute creatively. Good communication and teamwork skills. Attention to detail and a willingness to learn.

This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Commitment to Equal Opportunities

All Staff, Contractors, Freelancers and Volunteers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that Spring Community Hub is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, and race, age, belief in any religion and none, gender identity, ethnic origin, class, sexuality, nationality, appearance, unrelated criminal activities, disability, responsibility for dependents, part‑time or shift workers, being HIV positive or living with AIDS, lived experience of Significant Poverty or Inequality and any other matter which causes a person to be treated with injustice.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that SCH reflects the communities we serve.

SCH is consciously working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can bring out their skills and talents and make their best contribution to our mission to support our guests along their journey to move on and achieve full social, economic and emotional independence to live healthy lives in a community which supports each other.

We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of Significant Poverty and Inequality and people from all marginalised groups, communities and backgrounds.

Responsible for staff/equipment

• Volunteers
• Phone
• Laptop
• Kitchen Equipment

Reporting to...

Service Manager

Why Join us / Benefits

A warm, welcoming and passionate working environment. People‑focused with a friendly and supportive workplace culture. We are a London Living Wage Employer. An active commitment to equality and diversity. We offer continuing opportunities for learning, and personal and professional development together with regular supervision, training and support for all our staff and Volunteers. Frequent Team Away Days and Celebrations, as part of a friendly and collaborative team.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should first complete the application form. Then, if suitable will be invited to forward their CV and a maximum of an A4 cover letter stating what makes you suitable for the role to the Operations Manager @

Once your application has been reviewed we will contact you by phone for an initial conversation.

Closing Date: This is on a rolling basis.

Application process:

• Fill in attached application form. You will then be invited to submit your CV with a Supporting Statement.
• If you are shortlisted you will be invited to a formal interview which will consist of a presentation and/or practical task plus a panel interview which will last up to 1hr.

Accessibility

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please contact our Head of Compliance and Development to discuss how we can help.

Job Types: Part‑time, Temporary, Fixed term contract

Pay: 14.78 per hour

Expected hours: 2 - 15 per week

Application question(s):

• Are you available to work the hours specified in the job description, including weekends and occasional evenings? How would you balance the need for great customer service with managing volunteers and staff in a busy cafe environment?
• Can you give an example of how you've used creativity (e.g. menu design, event planning, promotions) to engage a community or customers?
• Our cafe uses surplus and seasonal food - how would you approach designing menus around this?
• How would you handle a situation where a volunteer or staff member is struggling to perform their role?
• What does community engagement mean to you, and how would you make sure our cafe is a welcoming and inclusive space for all?
• What motivates you to work in community‑based or grassroots settings, and how you stay committed to your personal development in this field?

Experience: Cafe: 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation: United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel: 75% (preferred)

Work Location: In person