Cafe Manager - Operations And Team Leadership

Ghanika Goods Limited; Wellington; On-site; NZD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Don Luciano Café and Catering Ltd. is seeking a proactive Café Manager to lead daily operations at Masterton location, overseeing service, staff, stock, and safety. The role requires coordinating rosters, maintaining standards, and driving profitability while delivering exceptional customer experiences.

You will manage a team, develop staff, collaborate on menu updates, and ensure health and safety compliance in a busy café environment. Weekend availability is required.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years’ relevant hospitality or customer service experience, or a certificate or higher qualification.
• Strong leadership and team-management abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for food, coffee and outstanding customer service.
• Ability to stay calm, organized and efficient in a fast-paced environment.
• Good decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to delegate, motivate and develop team members.
• Understanding of budgeting and stock management.
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills.
• Initiative, creativity and the ability to think quickly.
• Positive attitude and willingness to embrace change.
• Professional presentation and high standard of personal hygiene.
• Honesty, reliability and a strong work ethic.
• Flexibility to work weekends and public holidays.
• Clean criminal record and ability to pass drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Deliver consistently excellent customer service and food and beverage experiences.
• Greet customers and handle reservations, enquiries and complaints professionally.
• Coordinate café staff to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Ensure company standards, policies and procedures are followed.
• Maintain a safe, professional and welcoming environment.
• Prepare staff rosters according to operational requirements.
• Monitor staff performance and assist with staff‑related matters.
• Train, mentor and develop new and existing team members.
• Provide direction, feedback and ongoing training.
• Conduct regular team meetings and encourage staff ideas and engagement.
• Identify opportunities for staff development and growth.
• Work with owner and chefs to develop and update menus.
• Help maintain consistent food and beverage quality.
• Contribute ideas that enhance the customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health and safety requirements.
• Identify hazards and take action to minimise risks.
• Monitor stock levels and advise ordering as required.
• Maintain stock ordering systems and coordinate with kitchen staff.
• Ensure stock is accounted for, stored securely and food safety compliant.
• Complete general café and administrative duties, including cleaning when necessary.
• Work with owner to improve policies, standards and procedures.
• Provide recommendations to improve café operations and profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Customer service

Time management

Problem solving

Budgeting

Stock management

Staff development

Creativity

Decision making

Organisation

Reliability

Flexibility

Hygiene

Education

Hospitality certificate or higher

Job description

Don Luciano Café and Catering Ltd

Café Manager

Location: 9 King Street, Masterton, Wellington

Employment type: Full Time | 30–40 hours per week

Wage: $30–$35 per hour

The Café Manager will lead daily operations, delivering outstanding customer service. Responsibilities include:

• Supervise and develop staff
• Manage rosters, stock, and ordering
• Maintain food safety standards
• Support business growth and profit optimisation

Requirements:

• At least 2 years’ relevant hospitality/customer service experience or a Certificate or higher qualification
• Strong leadership and team‑management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Passion for food, coffee and outstanding customer service
• Ability to remain calm, organised, and efficient in a high‑paced environment
• Good decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to delegate, motivate, and develop team members
• Understanding of budgeting and stock management
• Excellent time‑management and organisational skills
• Initiative, creativity and the ability to think quickly
• Positive attitude and willingness to embrace change
• Professional presentation and high standard of personal hygiene
• Honesty, reliability and a strong work ethic
• Flexibility to work weekends and public holidays
• Clean criminal record and ability to pass drug testing

Key Responsibilities

Café Operations & Customer Service

• Deliver consistently excellent customer service and food and beverage experiences
• Greet customers and handle reservations, enquiries and complaints professionally
• Coordinate café staff to ensure smooth daily operations
• Ensure company standards, policies and procedures are followed
• Maintain a safe, professional and welcoming environment

Team Leadership

• Prepare staff rosters according to operational requirements
• Monitor staff performance and assist with staff‑related matters
• Train, mentor and develop new and existing team members
• Provide direction, feedback and ongoing training
• Conduct regular team meetings and encourage staff ideas and engagement
• Identify opportunities for staff development and growth

Menu & Product Development

• Work with the owner and chefs to develop and update menus
• Help maintain consistent food and beverage quality
• Contribute ideas that enhance the customer experience

Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety, health and safety requirements
• Ensure health and safety information is accessible to staff
• Identify and report hazards and take appropriate action to minimise risks

Stock & Ordering

• Monitor stock levels and advise the owner when ordering is required
• Maintain effective and efficient stock ordering systems
• Coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure appropriate stock levels
• Ensure stock is properly accounted for, stored securely and maintained under appropriate food safety conditions

Business Support

• Work with the owner to improve policies, standards and procedures
• Provide recommendations to improve café operations
• Contribute ideas aimed at increasing sales, customer satisfaction and profitability
• Complete general café and administrative duties as required, including cleaning where necessary

Why Join Don Luciano?

Don Luciano is more than just a café. We are a growing local business built around quality coffee, great food, hospitality, gratitude and kindness.

Application Process

When you are ready to apply, email your detailed CV and cover letter explaining why you are the best fit for the role to: [e-mail].

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