Cafe Supervisor

LAWES AGRICULTURAL TRUST

St Albans

On-site

GBP 27,000 - 31,000

Part time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Generous Pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Free car parking

Job summary

LAWES AGRICULTURAL TRUST seeks a Café Supervisor for our busy Campus Café in Harpenden. You will lead daily operations, supervise a small team and ensure superb customer service, coffee quality and safe food handling.

Experience as a senior Barista or café supervisor is essential, with strong communication skills and a flexible, team‑oriented attitude. Driving licence or easy access to Harpenden site is desirable.

Qualifications

Qualified senior Barista or Café Supervisor with experience leading a small team.
Strong knowledge of espresso preparation and beverage service.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Flexible, calm and proactive approach during busy service.

Responsibilities

Lead café service and supervise team during daily operations.
Prepare and serve espresso-based coffees, teas and specialties.
Maintain consistency in coffee preparation, milk texturing and presentation.
Support food preparation and service, identify opportunities to increase sales.
Ensure a clean, safe and welcoming café environment.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

EPOS systems

Communication

Food safety awareness

Education

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Tools

EPOS till systems

Job description

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