Coffee Shop Manager (Back of House)

River Church Ipswich; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused coffee shop in Ipswich is seeking a Back of House and Kitchen Manager. In this role, you will oversee kitchen operations, manage staff, ensure compliance with health standards, and maintain high-quality food service. Ideal candidates are experienced in commercial kitchens and embody Christian values, contributing to a positive workplace culture. This position offers a competitive salary starting at £25,250 per year.

Benefits

Free lunch on shifts over 6 hours

Pension contributions

Free drinks during shifts

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Barista and/or hospitality experience.
• High attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen staff and operations.
• Manage inventory and compliance with health and safety.
• Prepare and cook food and drinks to a high standard.

Skills

Customer service

Baking and cooking

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Qualifications at Level 3 or higher in relevant subject

Job description

Hours

Full Time

25,250

Description of Job

APPLAUD COFFEE: BACK OF HOUSE AND KITCHEN MANAGER

• Based at Applaud Coffee, St Peters Street, Ipswich
• Starting date: November 2025 or shortly afterwards

ABOUT APPLAUD COFFEE

We are a strong, skilled, passionate and friendly team working together to achieve our vision to be the best coffee shop in Ipswich: to create the best customer experience and to be a thriving workplace for our team.

We’re a growing business and are looking for someone interested in long term commitment. We have a positive working environment with a culture of feedback that enables personal development and business growth.

We want to employ someone who is passionate about quality food, drink and customer service. It’s a busy workplace with a lot going on at once, so if you’ve ever been described as ‘on it’ in a previous job, you’ll be a strong contender for this role.

Applaud Coffee is part of River Church Ipswich, and has a positive, Christian ethos and values. All of our profits go towards River Church’s work in the community, including River Store, which provides more than 50,000 meals per year for those in financial difficulty.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

This position is perfect for someone that thrives in a busy and fast paced environment. It is a varied role and you will need to be able to turn your hand to a range of tasks.

Working as Back of House and Kitchen Manager, you will be overseeing and supporting kitchen staff, overseeing the Applaud food menu, ordering, stock, compliance, as well as taking orders, preparing drinks, cooking breakfasts, preparing lunches, baking cakes, washing up, running food and clearing tables.

You will take pride in the Applaud brand and embody the core values of Applaud to fulfil our vision to be the best coffee shop in Ipswich.

POSITION

• Reporting to Applaud Coffee Board of Directors
• Hours are negotiable and will vary according to rota needs, but could constitute a flexible full-time role for the right candidate

MAIN TASKS

• Embody the Applaud core values
• Support the Front of House Manager in overseeing staff and coffee shop operations
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen and back of house including menu, stock, and systems
• Manage stock, equipment, and orders (in store and online)
• Recruit, onboard, train, and manage staff
• Deliver excellent customer service with an attention to detail
• Track KPI's (sales, revenue, profit, waste), reporting these weekly to Directors
• Oversee food costs, margins, and markups to ensure profitability across all menu items
• Oversee coffee shop finances, including paying invoices and monitoring cash flow
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding and food health and safety policies
• Create and manage shift rotas
• Prepare and produce food and drink products of a high and consistent quality to tight deadlines
• Baking Applaud cakes for the shop counter and external orders
• Perform general kitchen and coffee shop duties e.g serving, cooking, washing up and cleaning
• Problem-solving and dealing with any customer complaints or special requests
• Checking and ordering stock as required
• Taking and managing online orders
• Opening and closing the shop
• Admin tasks including financial admin, correspondence, and paying invoices
• Maintain an environment of cleanliness and ambience at all times
• Demonstrate Christian values and character to customers, sharing faith in Jesus, and offering invitations to River Church events when appropriate, bridging River and Applaud
• Collaborate with River Church staff team on special events
• Other ad hoc tasks as required

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Numerate and literate
• Qualifications at Level 3 or higher in relevant subject

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Hardworking, reliable and honest
• Experience in a commercial kitchen
• Barista and/or hospitality experience
• Exceptional customer service
• Confident and competent baker / cook
• Able to thrive in a busy and fast paced environment
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to troubleshoot situations
• Organised, efficient and able to prioritise
• Able to show initiative and work well under pressure
• High attention to detail
• Energetic with a positive mindset
• There is a genuine occupational requirement that the role holder is a committed Christian, assents to the River Church Code of Conduct and basis of faith, and is or is willing to become an active member of River Church
• Enthusiasm for and the ability to embody the vision and values of Applaud
• Prior experience managing staff or leading teams

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The job is physically demanding. You will be required to stand for extended periods of time and to lift and carry stock to and from the basement.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Up to £25,250 (£12.95 per hour), with potential for fixed salary, depending on experience
• Any 2 drinks from the Applaud menu on shift
• Free coffee and tea off shift
• Free lunch on shifts of over 6 hours
• Pension contributions

HOW TO APPLY

If you think you’re right for this role, we’d love to hear from you.

River Church is a thriving HTB Network resource church based in the centre of Ipswich, Suffolk.