General Manager.

WatchHouse; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

WatchHouse is looking for a skilled Coffee Shop Manager to lead at their new Clapham location. This dynamic role involves motivating a team, managing operations, and ensuring exceptional customer experiences while upholding the company's core values of passion and empathy.

Benefits

Access to the House Manager bonus scheme (up to £8,000/year)

Free WatchHouse drinks on days off

Monthly free coffee and other benefits

Opportunities for career growth

Free lunch on shifts

Discounts in-house and retail coffee

Qualifications

• Strong background in managing high-volume venues.
• Understanding of Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Motivate and empower your team to perform at their best.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Manage financials and seek ways to increase revenue.

Skills

Passion

Empathy

Diligence

Can Do

Financial Understanding

Customer Experience Creation

Job description

WatchHouse is a group of specialty coffee Houses located in iconic neighbourhoods across London, Bath and New York. We are dedicated to elevating the coffee experience through our "Modern Coffee" philosophy. From our award-winning brews to our unmatched hospitality, we’re proud to have been named Europe’s Best Coffee Shop Chain at the 2024 European Coffee & Hospitality Awards.

We’re entering an exciting new chapter with stunning new locations launching soon at Clapham. We’re looking for skilled and experienced Coffee Shop Managers who have a strong background in managing high-volume venues—coffee knowledge is a bonus! This is your opportunity to be part of something truly special.

The role of House Manager is for bold, driven individuals who know that great leadership starts with people. As a House Manager at WatchHouse, you’re the heart of your space: setting the tone, inspiring your team, and delivering unforgettable hospitality day in, day out. This isn’t a sit-back-and-observe role. It’s dynamic, hands-on, and about listening, learning, coaching, and doing. Whether leading service on a busy morning shift, mentoring your next superstar, or refining the guest experience, you’re at the centre of it all.

At WatchHouse, we invest in our leaders. Bring the energy, curiosity, and commitment—and we’ll give you the training, support, and opportunities to grow into your future.

Directly reports into: Area Operations Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Motivate and empower your team to perform at their best, fostering a collaborative and passionate work environment.
2. Take ownership of your House’s financials, focusing on KPIs, and seeking ways to increase revenue and efficiency.
3. Oversee daily operations to ensure the Modern Coffee Experience is delivered to every guest, every day.
4. Ensure smooth opening and closing procedures, proactively manage issues, and maintain a well-stocked and functional cafe.
5. Mentor and develop your team, ensuring opportunities for growth within WatchHouse.
6. Manage compliance, from daily due diligence to EHO inspections.
7. Uphold standards of cleanliness, quality, and service across the House.
8. Create a vibrant, sociable, and exciting workplace.
9. Address challenges proactively to ensure a seamless customer experience.
10. Work closely with senior management to align your House with WatchHouse’s vision.

Key Skills

1. Live and breathe WatchHouse Core Values: Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do.
2. Maintain high personal hygiene and appearance.
3. Motivate and support your team to achieve operational and personal excellence.
4. Understand Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards.
5. Drive profitability with strong financial understanding.
6. Manage front-of-house and back-of-house operations in high-volume settings.
7. Create outstanding customer experiences with attention to detail.
8. Thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapting as needed.
9. Mentor and develop team members.
10. Maintain cleanliness, organization, and service standards.
11. Resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
12. Make confident decisions and lead independently.

What Can You Expect At WatchHouse

• Beautifully designed Houses with industry-leading equipment and hospitality professionals.
• Stable contracted hours each week.
• Access to the House Manager bonus scheme (up to £8,000/year).
• Free WatchHouse drinks (including on days off).
• Training to ensure your success.
• Access to SCA training.
• Monthly free coffee and other benefits.
• Opportunities for career growth.
• Free lunch on shifts, social budgets, and special events.
• Discounts in-house and on retail coffee.

WatchHouse was born from a passion to do better. We focus on detail, strive for perfection, and care deeply about our people and environment. We celebrate diversity, promote equality, and foster inclusion. Our core values—passion, can do, diligence, and empathy—guide everything we do. To succeed here, these values should resonate with you as well.