Cafe Supervisor

Rothamsted Research; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave

Generous Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free car parking

Job summary

Rothamsted Enterprises Limited is seeking an enthusiastic Café Supervisor to lead the Campus Café on the Harpenden site, delivering high‑quality coffee, breakfast and lunches to the Rothamsted community and visitors in a friendly, customer‑focused environment.

You will supervise a small team, manage daily service, ensure food safety and EPOS operations, and maintain a clean, welcoming venue, with a flexible, proactive approach and a full driving licence preferred.

Qualifications

• Customer-facing hospitality role experience.
• Experience leading a small team in a busy café.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead café service and supervise team members during daily operations.
• Prepare and serve high-quality espresso-based coffees, teas and specialty beverages.
• Maintain consistent standards of coffee preparation, milk texturing and presentation.
• Support food preparation and service while identifying opportunities to increase sales.
• Monitor customer flow and ensure efficient service during busy periods.
• Resolve customer queries and feedback professionally.
• Carry out opening and closing procedures, including cash handling and equipment checks.
• Maintain a clean, safe and welcoming café environment.

Skills

Customer service

Team leadership

Communication

Cash handling

Attention to detail

Education

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Tools

EPOS system

Job description

Overview Of Role

Café Supervisor

Location: Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Contract: Permanent part-time role, 35 hours per week

Salary: £25,254 pro rata per annum

Are you looking for a customer-facing part-time role in hospitality?

Do you have experience in managing a team?

Do you like interacting with people and providing exceptional customer service?

This could be your next opportunity; join our hospitality team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Café Supervisor to take day-to-day responsibility for the operation of our busy Campus Café.

The Campus Café serves both the Rothamsted community and the wider public, providing high-quality coffee, breakfast, lunch and refreshments in a welcoming environment. Our culture is friendly, supportive, ambitious and customer-focused, with a strong commitment to learning, development and excellence in hospitality.

What you'll do

Leading from the front, you will supervise café operations, deliver outstanding customer service, prepare exceptional coffee, support food service and ensure the café provides a clean, safe and welcoming environment for all customers.

You will motivate and support team members, coordinate daily service activities, maintain operational standards and help drive continuous improvement across the café.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service & Operations

• Lead café service and supervise team members during daily operations.
• Prepare and serve high-quality espresso-based coffees, teas and specialty beverages.
• Maintain consistent standards of coffee preparation, milk texturing and presentation.
• Support food preparation and service while identifying opportunities to increase sales.
• Monitor customer flow and ensure efficient service during busy periods.
• Resolve customer queries and feedback professionally.
• Carry out opening and closing procedures, including cash handling and equipment checks.
• Maintain a clean, safe and welcoming café environment.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, allergen legislation and health and safety requirements.
• Complete cleaning schedules, temperature checks and operational records.
• Report maintenance and equipment issues promptly.

Team Leadership

• Supervise, motivate and support café team members.
• Organise daily workloads and communicate service priorities.
• Support the induction and training of new staff.
• Work collaboratively with kitchen and hospitality colleagues.

Stock & Equipment

• Operate and support colleagues in the use of the EPOS system.
• Monitor stock levels and complete stock rotation and replenishment.
• Support stocktakes and inventory management.
• Ensure café equipment is cleaned, maintained and serviced appropriately.

About You

You will have previous experience working as a qualified senior Barista or Café Supervisor within a busy café or hospitality environment with strong knowledge of espresso preparation. Previous experience as a team leader or managing a small hospitality team, and an eye for detail.

Demonstrate a flexible approach to work, with strong communication and interpersonal skills. As a team player, you will have a friendly and approachable manner while also being capable of working independently and using your own initiative when required. A strong eye for detail and the ability to stay calm when the café is busy.

You will have a full and valid clean driving licence or have the ability to get to our Harpenden site.

What we are looking for

• Experienced, qualified senior Barista or Café Supervisor experienced in managing a small team
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Experience using EPOS/till systems and handling payments.
• Good understanding of food hygiene, allergen management and health and safety requirements.
• Ability to remain calm and organised during busy service periods.
• Positive, proactive and flexible approach to work.
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate and willingness to work towards Level 3 Food Safety qualification.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a friendly team at Rothamsted Enterprises, working in a unique environment based on a large campus. If you are passionate about coffee, hospitality and leading teams to deliver excellent customer experiences

What We Offer

• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A chance to contribute ideas and help shape the customer experience.
• 25 days' annual leave
• Generous Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free car parking

Interviews commence from the 12th October 2026

This vacancy does not meet the Home Office requirements; therefore, please ensure you are eligible or already hold the legal right to work in the UK.

About The Company

Rothamsted Enterprises Limited (REL) was established in 2015 by its shareholders: Lawes Agricultural Trust, Rothamsted Research and BBSRC. REL is a commercial organisation that generates income which is gifted back to its partners to support the world-leading science and research undertaken by Rothamsted Research.

REL's strategic objectives are to:

• Ensure financial sustainability.
• Foster relationships both on and off campus.
• Facilitate opportunities for collaboration, growth and impact.
• Align commercial activity with wider Government priorities.

Rothamsted Enterprises manages a diverse commercial portfolio, including office and laboratory space, a modern conference centre, and the Campus Café.

The Campus Café is open to both the Rothamsted community and members of the public, providing a welcoming environment for breakfast, lunch, refreshments and quality coffee throughout the working day.

Our team culture is supportive, friendly, honest, hardworking and ambitious. We are committed to learning and development, equality and diversity, and creating an excellent customer experience across all our hospitality services.