Cafe Manager

JR United Kingdom; Slough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Cafe Manager to oversee operations at Qima Café, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence. This hands-on leadership role requires experience in high-volume settings, a passion for hospitality, and the ability to foster a positive team culture, making it ideal for someone with a flair for service and dedication to quality.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Cycle to work scheme

Opportunities for internal growth and career development

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in café or boutique restaurant management.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for hospitality, coffee, and food quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and staff management.
• Ensure high standards of guest service and compliance.
• Monitor performance and guest feedback effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Customer Service

Operational Knowledge

Tools

Workforce

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Reports to: Operations Manager

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About Us:

Qima Patisserie & Kitchen is a pioneering concept that blends the warmth of café culture with the elegance of plated desserts and the comfort of soulful brunch and lunch dining. With a mission to redefine everyday hospitality, we operate across two London locations, delivering best-in-class guest experiences rooted in craftsmanship, quality, and detail.

Role Overview

As a Cafe Manager, you will lead one of Qima Café’s sites, ensuring operational excellence, team success, and exceptional guest experiences. You will be the on-the-ground leader responsible for your café's performance—bringing to life Qima’s vision while maintaining a welcoming, efficient, and standards-driven environment. This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives in premium, high-volume café or boutique restaurant settings and is passionate about service, coffee, and food culture.

Key Responsibilities

1. Daily Operations & Floor Leadership

• Lead all day-to-day operations including opening/closing, floor management, and service flow.
• Maintain a strong presence during trading hours, particularly peak periods, to support teams and proactively solve issues.
• Ensure all SOPs, checklists, and service protocols are followed consistently.

2. Scheduling, Rota & Workforce Planning

• Create and manage staff schedules using Workforce, aligning labour with forecasted sales and peak trading times.
• Ensure optimal staff coverage, adapting schedules as needed for holidays, absences, and service needs.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and retain a high-performing FOH and barista team.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and team meetings to align on goals and service expectations.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team culture with high morale and strong accountability.

4. Guest Experience & Brand Delivery

• Champion Qima’s hospitality values through personalised, thoughtful service and a warm guest atmosphere.
• Oversee the consistent execution of plated desserts, brunch/lunch service, and takeaway offerings.
• Monitor guest feedback and resolve complaints with care and professionalism.

5. Compliance, Safety & Standards

• Ensure food hygiene, health & safety, and site compliance protocols are strictly followed.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date site documentation (HACCP logs, incident reports, audits).
• Lead internal audits and implement corrective actions where needed.

6. Product Execution & Coordination

• Ensure smooth kitchen/FOH coordination, especially for ticket flow and presentation during plated dessert and brunch services.
• Support new menu launches, promotions, and seasonal service transitions.
• 3–5 years of experience in café, casual dining, or boutique restaurant management.
• Experience managing staff rotas using Workforce or similar platforms.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Operational knowledge of P&L, stock control, and service flow.
• Passion for hospitality, coffee, and food quality.
• Availability across mornings, weekends, and peak trading times
• Experience in patisserie or plated dessert service.
• Familiarity with premium coffee programs or brunch service.
• Exposure to cost and labour management in a high-volume, high-standard setting.
• Competitive compensation
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Opportunities for internal growth and career development