Grind Coffee - Assistant Manager

Compass Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company in London is looking for an Assistant Manager for their vibrant café-bar in Waterloo. In this full-time role, the candidate will support the management team, inspire the staff, and drive high service standards. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in hospitality, a passion for customer service, and a drive for personal development. Competitive salary of £40,000 plus comprehensive benefits package is offered, providing ample growth opportunities within the industry.

Benefits

Work-life balance

Discounts on shopping, cinema, tech, travel

Career growth opportunities

Mental health resources

Contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in a busy café, bar, or casual dining.
• Ability to develop others and foster a positive team culture.
• Calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about providing excellent customer service.
• Desire for career growth in a premium brand.

Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in running the café and bar.
• Lead, motivate, and inspire the team.
• Manage daily operations smoothly from day to night.
• Engage with guests and ensure high service standards.
• Take responsibility for operational tasks.

Skills

Hospitality management

Team leadership

Service excellence

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

Assistant Manager - GRIND Café, London Waterloo

Hours: 40 per week (variable shifts) Contract: Full-time Salary: £40,000 + Compass Benefits

Are you ready to bring the energy, the buzz, and the Grind magic to one of London's most exciting café and bar locations?

Grind isn't just a coffee spot - it's an all day, all night vibe. From early morning flat whites to late night cocktails, we keep London moving, shaking and caffeinating. Now we're looking for a passionate, hands on Assistant Manager to help lead the charge and support our management team in delivering the iconic Grind experience.

This is your chance to step into a high profile role, grow your leadership skills, and be part of a brand that's as fast paced and exciting as the city itself - all backed by the stability, development and benefits of Compass Group.

About Life at Grind x Compass

As an Assistant Manager, you're the heartbeat of the floor. You'll work full time across variable shifts, supporting the General Manager to run a high traffic, high energy site with style.

You'll get the best of both worlds:

• The creativity, culture and buzz of Grind
• The career pathways, training and benefits of Compass Group, the UK's largest food and support services company

What You'll Be Doing: The Fun & Flair

Vibe Co Pilot:
Support the GM in leading, motivating and inspiring the team to deliver the legendary Grind service that turns guests into superfans.

Day to Night Dynamo:
Help manage the seamless shift from morning café culture to evening bar energy - keeping operations smooth, fun and full of personality.

Service Champion:
Be the face of the floor. Drive service standards, jump in where needed, and keep the energy high from open to close.

Team Builder:
Coach, support and develop the Front of House team, helping every person grow their skills and confidence.

Operational Pro:
Take responsibility for opening and closing, daily briefings, stock support, and ensuring the site runs like a well oiled (and well caffeinated) machine.

Guest Hero:
Engage with guests, solve problems with a smile, and create the warm, electric atmosphere Grind is known for.

What You'll Bring: Your Grind DNA

Hands On Hospitality Experience:
You've led teams in a busy café, bar or casual dining environment and you thrive in the buzz.

People First Leadership:
You love developing others, building strong relationships and creating a positive, inclusive team culture.

Calm Under Pressure:
Busy service? No problem. You stay cool, focused and solutions driven.

A Passion for Service:
You bring energy, personality and pride to every shift - and you lead by example.

Ambition & Drive:
You're ready to grow, ready to learn, and ready to make your mark on a high growth, premium brand.

The Perks: Grind Style, Compass Backing

Working with Grind and Compass unlocks a benefits package designed to support your life, your wellbeing and your career:

• Work-Life Balance: Enhanced parental leave + the option to buy extra holiday
• Compass Benefits Hub: Discounts on shopping, cinema, tech, travel and more
• Career Growth: Access to huge development pathways across Compass Group
• Wellbeing Support: Mental health resources and Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to bring the vibe, lead the team, and help run one of London's most exciting café-bar spaces?

Let's make great coffee, great cocktails and great memories - together.

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/1912/43458001/52782213/SU #One Retail

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!