Tea Room Supervisor

Ampleforthabbey; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Free lunch

Free parking

Staff discount

Cycle to work

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Ampleforth Abbey is seeking a dedicated Tearoom Supervisor to manage day-to-day operations of the Abbey Tearoom at Ampleforth, York, ensuring exceptional customer service, quality food, and a clean environment. The role sits within a peaceful, historic setting and requires sensitivity to the site’s reflective nature.

The successful candidate will lead tearoom staff and volunteers, handle rostering and training, and promote the tearoom as part of the Abbey visit.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a café, tearoom, or hospitality supervisory role.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent customer service and communication abilities.
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards.
• Barista trained.
• Own transport required – located Ampleforth.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily running of the tearoom, ensuring smooth and efficient service.
• Lead by example in delivering warm, courteous, and attentive customer service.
• Maintain high standards of presentation for food, beverages, and the tearoom environment.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health, and safety regulations and safeguarding.
• Supervise, support, and motivate tearoom staff and volunteers.
• Assist with staff training, rota planning, and performance management.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Organisation

Problem solving

Barista trained

Tools

POS till

Job description

Salary: Highly competitive, dependent on experience and skills

Hours: 5 days over 7 to include weekends and bank holidays

Based at Ampleforth Abbey, Ampleforth, YO62 4EN

About Ampleforth Abbey

Ampleforth Abbey is home to the UK’s largest Benedictine monastic community, rooted in the Rule of St Benedict. Our mission is to seek God through prayer and service, and to invite others to experience faith in action.

Located in the Howardian Hills near York, the Abbey sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its Retreat Centre, Visitor Centre, Shop and Tea Room.

Ampleforth Abbey Trust, a registered charity, works alongside the monastic community to support this mission. With around 60 lay staff, the Trust delivers on a five-year strategy, choosing a Future Together, to ensure a sustainable, faith-led future for the Abbey and its valley home.

We are looking for a Tearoom Supervisor for the day-to-day operation of the Abbey Tearoom ensuring a high standard of customer service, food quality and cleanliness.Set within a historic monastic environment, this role also requires sensitivity to the peaceful and reflective nature of the site, creating a welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all visitors.

If you enjoy working in a friendly, peaceful atmosphere, meeting new people, being part of a hardworking team Ampleforth Abbey is perfect for you!

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Service

• Oversee the daily running of the tearoom, ensuring smooth and efficient service
• Lead by example in delivering warm, courteous, and attentive customer service
• Maintain high standards of presentation for food, beverages, and the tearoom environment
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health, and safety regulations and safeguarding.
• Supervise, support, and motivate tearoom staff and volunteers
• Assist with staff training, rota planning, and performance management
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture

Customer Experience

• Create a calm and welcoming environment aligned with the abbey’s values
• Handle customer queries, feedback, and complaints professionally
• Enhance the visitor experience by promoting the tearoom as part of the wider abbey visit
• Monitor stock levels, place orders, and manage deliveries
• Minimise waste and control costs effectively
• Assist with cash handling, till operations, and daily reconciliations

Standards & Compliance

• Uphold strict food safety and hygiene standards
• Ensure cleanliness and organisation across all areas (front and back of house)
• Adhere to safeguarding, health & safety, and organisational policies

We are looking for someone who has;

• Previous experience in a café, tearoom, or hospitality supervisory role
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent customer service and communication abilities
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards
• Barista trained
• Own transport required – located Ampleforth
• Experience working in a heritage, visitor attraction, or faith-based setting
• Interest in history, heritage, or monastic traditions
• Personal Licence holder

Personal Qualities

• Calm, approachable, and professional manner
• Respect for the spiritual and historic nature of the abbey
• Ability to work in a sometimes quiet, reflective environment
• Flexible and reliable, with a hands-on attitude

Working Conditions

• Includes weekends, bank holidays, and occasional events
• Fast-paced environment during peak visitor seasons
• Standing for extended periods and some lifting may be required

What we offer

• Up to 8% employer-matched pension
• Life assurance
• Free lunch during working hours
• Free on-site parking
• 20% discount at the Tea room and Abbey Shop
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Christmas Closure
• Historic Houses and Yorkshire Great Houses, Castles and Gardens passes to borrow
• Employee Assistance programme
• Retail savings platform
• 50% discount on fitness suite, swimming and other activities at St Albans Centre

Ampleforth Abbey Trust is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Closing Date:

30th September, however should we receive a high volume of applicants we may close this earlier.