Café Manager

Assembly Coffee; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Company pension

Wellness programs

Unlimited coffee at work

Staff discount

Training opportunities

Job summary

Full Steam Espresso Ltd in London is seeking a Café Manager to lead daily operations, recruit and develop a team of baristas, manage stock and budgets, ensure health and safety compliance, and grow the café's brand through marketing and events.

You will drive customer experience, monitor KPIs, schedule shifts, and participate in budgeting with the finance team to support growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a professional coffee-related role.
• Proven café/hospitality or retail management experience.
• Strong leadership to train, coach, and motivate a team.
• Excellent customer service and passion for specialty coffee.
• Knowledge of stock control, budgeting and cost management.
• Familiarity with health, safety and food hygiene standards (F&S Level 2 desirable).
• Strong communication with staff and customers.
• Ability to analyse performance data and drive sales growth.
• Creative mindset for menu curation, promotions and community engagement.
• Highly organised with problem-solving and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and manage a team of baristas.
• Foster a positive, high-performing workplace culture.
• Schedule shifts using Deputy to balance labour and service standards.
• Provide coaching through weekly 121s and quarterly reviews.
• Oversee daily operations, stock levels and KPI-driven costs.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and food hygiene standards.
• Represent the brand through marketing initiatives and events.

Skills

Leadership

Training & coaching

Customer service

Stock control

Budgeting

Health & safety

Communication

Data analysis

Scheduling tools

Problem solving

Education

F&S Level 2 desirable

Tools

Deputy

Lightspeed

Job description

Full Steam Espresso Ltd is an innovative, founder-led coffee business on an exciting growth trajectory. The role of the Café Manager is responsible for leading daily operations, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, and driving the commercial success of the café (Door). This role oversees team recruitment, training, and development while fostering a collaborative and high-performing workplace culture. The manager will manage stock, budgets, and compliance with health and safety standards, while maintaining the highest quality of product and service. They will also represent and grow the café’s brand through marketing initiatives, community engagement, and consistent visual identity.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and manage a team of baristas.
• Foster a positive and collaborative workplace culture that emphasises quality, service, and professionalism.
• Schedule shifts effectively using Deputy to balance labour efficiency with service standards.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching and development opportunities, including weekly 121’s and quarterly reviews.

Operations & Stock Control

• Oversee daily café operations, ensuring smooth service and adherence to company standards.
• Manage supplies and inventory levels, perform monthly stock takes, and monitor waste to optimise costs as per your KPI’s using Lightspeed.
• Implement and maintain systems for equipment maintenance and cleanliness, working closely with the in-house technical team.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, pest control and food hygiene regulations. This includes ensuring all staff members complete their F&S level 2.
• Assist in budgeting and forecasting for café operations with your line manager and the finance team, assessing performance progress quarterly.

Coffee, customer Experience & Sales

• Uphold the highest standard of specialty coffee preparation (using a Slayer espresso machine and Orea for pour-overs).
• Build strong relationships with customers, creating a welcoming environment that encourages loyalty and a sense of community.
• Monitor sales performance and implement strategies to meet and exceed revenue targets. This includes curating seasonal menus for drinks and food.
• Respond to customer feedback and resolve issues promptly.

Brand & Marketing

• Represent and communicate the café’s brand values through service, environment, and product quality.
• Work with marketing teams and independently to develop local promotional initiatives and events to drive revenue and meet budget targets.
• Represent Assembly and Volcano Coffee Works at events (e.g. London Coffee Festival).
• Maintain and develop the café’s visual identity and ensure consistency across all touchpoints.
• Build community engagement and partnerships aligned with the brand.
• Support Brand and Education by delivering Coffee Masterclasses occasionally (brewing, barista, tastings)

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a professional coffee-related role, ideally within a scaling business.
• Proven experience in café, hospitality, or retail management
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, and motivate a team
• Excellent understanding of customer service and passion for specialty coffee
• Solid knowledge of stock control, budgeting, and cost management
• Familiarity with health, safety, and food hygiene standards (F&S Level 2 desirable)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with both staff and customers
• Ability to analyse performance data and drive sales growth
• Creative mindset for menu curation, promotions, and community engagement
• Highly organised with strong problem-solving and adaptability skills
• Proficiency in scheduling and operational tools (e.g., Deputy or similar)
• Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer

• A casual, fun, and supportive working environment within a rapidly growing industry.
• Support with SCA regional and world competitions.
• Competitive salary plus bonus package.
• Company pension scheme.
• 2 Refresh Days and 1 Charity Day annually, plus extra time off in summer months.
• Half-yearly wellness programs and ongoing training opportunities.
• Fully stocked kitchen, team incentives, and activities.
• Unlimited coffee at work and 50% staff discount for home.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in Full Steam Espresso Ltd’s growth. With ambitious plans ahead, you will help shape our educational initiatives and retail success, making a meaningful impact in London’s