Cafe & Kitchen Manager

Manchester Arndale; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts via Hapi app

OCS Academy digital learning

Wagestream pay access

Job summary

Manchester Arndale is seeking an experienced Café Manager to oversee the café operation within our busy retail environment. You will lead by example on the shop floor, delivering outstanding coffee, food quality, customer service and day-to-day profitability.

You will recruit, train and develop a high‑performing team, manage rotas and stock, ensure health and safety compliance, and drive improvements in beverage and menu standards while maintaining brand quality and guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Previous experience managing a café, coffee shop, hospitality venue, or foodservice operation.
• Strong barista and coffee preparation knowledge.
• Proven leadership and team development skills.
• Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP and health & safety standards.
• Experience managing budgets, stock, and labour costs.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the café/unit to ensure smooth service.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, and back-of-house organisation.
• Lead coffee quality, food production, and customer experience initiatives.
• Coach and develop team members in barista skills and product knowledge.
• Monitor sales, labour, stock, and waste to maximise profitability.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Café management

Barista expertise

People leadership

Food safety HACCP

Budget & cost control

Customer service excellence

Commercial awareness

Team training

Job description

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About The Role:

Working Pattern

7:30am to 3:30pm

The Café & Kitchen Manager is responsible for the overall management, performance, and profitability of the café operation. The role combines strong leadership, commercial awareness, exceptional barista expertise, and culinary knowledge to ensure the delivery of outstanding food, beverages, customer service, and team engagement.

The successful candidate will lead by example on the shop floor, maintaining high standards of coffee quality, food production, food safety, customer experience, and operational excellence while driving sales and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the café/unit, ensuring smooth service delivery at all times.
• Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness, presentation, and organisation across all customer and back-of-house areas.
• Ensure all opening, closing, cash handling, and security procedures are completed accurately.
• Monitor sales, labour, stock, and waste to maximise profitability.
• Implement company policies, procedures, and operational standards consistently.

Coffee & Barista Excellence

• Act as the lead coffee specialist within the business.
• Ensure all beverages are prepared to consistently high standards, including espresso‑based drinks, speciality coffees, teas, and cold beverages.
• Coach, train, and develop team members in barista skills, latte art, coffee extraction, milk texturing, and product knowledge.
• Maintain coffee equipment and coordinate servicing and preventative maintenance.
• Analyse beverage sales and introduce initiatives to improve coffee quality and revenue.

Culinary & Food Standards

• Oversee all food preparation, presentation, and service standards.
• Ensure menus are executed consistently and meet company quality expectations.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, stock rotation, and allergen management procedures.
• Work with suppliers and management teams to support menu innovation and seasonal offerings.
• Manage food production levels to minimise waste while maintaining product availability.
• Ensure compliance with all food hygiene, HACCP, and food safety regulations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high‑performing café team.
• Create an engaging and positive work environment that supports colleague wellbeing and retention.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and development planning.
• Manage rotas effectively to ensure appropriate staffing levels and labour control.
• Lead by example through visible, hands‑on management and floor presence.

Customer Experience

• Deliver exceptional customer service and create a welcoming café environment.
• Build strong relationships with customers and encourage repeat business.
• Respond positively and professionally to customer feedback and complaints.
• Drive customer engagement through local initiatives, promotions, and community involvement.
• Ensure customer satisfaction targets and service standards are consistently achieved.

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Achieve and exceed sales, profit, labour, and KPI targets.
• Analyse trading performance and implement action plans to improve results.
• Manage stock ordering, inventory control, and supplier relationships.
• Monitor gross profit margins and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Produce reports and communicate unit performance to senior management.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation and company procedures.
• Maintain all food safety records, audits, and due diligence documentation.
• Lead health and safety training and ensure safe working practices across the team.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and address any identified concerns promptly.
• Ensure compliance with allergen legislation and customer dietary requirements.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience managing a café, coffee shop, hospitality venue, or foodservice operation.
• Strong barista knowledge with the ability to train and develop others.
• Experience overseeing food preparation and culinary operations.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of sales and profit drivers.
• Experience managing budgets, stock, and labour costs.
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and health & safety requirements.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced customer‑focused environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety Qualification.
• Barista Training Certification or Specialty Coffee Qualification.

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.