Startup Café Manager: Lead Operations & Team

Chartwells Independent; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Digital GP & wider healthcare benefits

Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, &

Save money on your food shop discounts

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I is opening a brand-new café in a busy retail environment. As Café Manager, you’ll play a key role in bringing a site to life—from setting standards and building a team to shaping how the café looks, feels, and operates from day one.

You’ll lead from the front in a fast-paced setting, recruit and develop the team, maintain high food and service standards, manage stock and processes, and create a warm, welcoming space people love from the first morning rush to close.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in a café, retail unit, or fast-paced food operation.
• Ability to set and maintain high standards across food, coffee and presentation.
• Strong organisational and proactive problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of a newly opened café.
• Recruit, train and develop a high-performing team.
• Set and maintain standards for food, coffee, and presentation.
• Manage stock, performance and processes.
• Create a welcoming, consistent space from day one.
• Ensure Health & Safety standards are met.

Skills

People leadership

Customer service

Operations management

Job description

Compass Group UK&I is opening a brand-new café in a busy retail environment. As Café Manager, you’ll play a key role in bringing a site to life—from setting standards and building a team to shaping how the café looks, feels, and operates from day one.

You’ll lead from the front in a fast-paced setting, recruit and develop the team, maintain high food and service standards, manage stock and processes, and create a warm, welcoming space people love from the first morning rush to close.