Lead Server/Waiter/Waitress

Kettan Foods Limited; Saffron Walden; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent family-run café in Saffron Walden is seeking a Lead Server. You will provide excellent customer service, serve specialty drinks, and assist with food preparation. The ideal candidate has 3+ years of café experience and strong leadership skills. This is a great opportunity to make an impact in a fun, supportive working environment.

Benefits

Opportunities for training and career progression

Free food and drink during shifts

Company pension

Qualifications

• Must have at least 3 years experience in a café, restaurant, hotel or hospitality environment.
• Flexible availability, including weekends and occasional evenings.
• Knowledge of food safety practices and standards.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and take orders at the counter.
• Assist with opening and closing duties.
• Prepare and serve coffee and specialty drinks.
• Train and mentor junior team members.
• Oversee daily counter operations.

Skills

Customer service

Barista experience

Leadership

Teamwork

Communication skills

Job description

The Mocha Cafe and Diner is seeking a Lead Server to join our team. This is a counter-service role (not table service), where you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service at the counter, serving up expertly-crafted specialty drinks, helping with light food prep, ensuring smooth daily operations, and supporting other team members. The ideal candidate will have prior café or hospitality experience and enjoy working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers, take orders at the counter, and process payments. Customer orders must be taken accurately and efficiently, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Assist with opening and closing duties, including cashing up tills, restocking, and cleaning.
• Prepare and serve coffee, tea, specialty drinks, milkshakes and ice cream desserts to Mocha Café and Diner standards. Adhere to food safety standards while handling and preparing food items.
• Assist with the production of light food items in the kitchen including sandwiches, jacket potatoes and side salads.
• Train, mentor, and support junior team members, ensuring a positive and efficient working environment.
• Oversee daily counter operations, including stock rotation, cleanliness, and presentation of displays.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the café, including cleaning tables and restocking supplies.
• Act as the first point of contact for customer concerns and resolve minor issues before escalating to the duty manager.

Requirements

• Must have at least 3 years experience in a café, restaurant, hotel or hospitality environment.
• Flexible availability, including weekends and occasional evenings.
• Barista experience is required.
• Knowledge of food safety practices and standards.
• Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a busy environment.

What we offer

• The chance to make a real impact on an independent family-run small business
• A fun, supportive working environment where your ideas matter
• Opportunities for training and career progression
• Free food and drink during shifts
• Structured break and lunch times
• Company pension
• Free food and drink