Cafe Manager - Specialty Coffee Shop

Role Summary: The Café Manager is responsible for the overall performance, culture, and operational excellence of the café. This is a pivotal leadership role to drive a successful turnaround — blending front-of-house leadership, team management, customer experience, and financial accountability. Key Responsibilities: 1. Team Leadership & Culture Lead, inspire, and develop a team of 6–8 (baristas, prep team, part-time staff) Conduct weekly team meetings and 1:1s Recruit and onboard new hires (with support from ownership and HR tools) Create and uphold a culture of consistency, professionalism, and warmth 2. Operations & Systems Manage the daily opening and closing procedures Ensure cleanliness, health & safety, and compliance standards Maintain inventory levels and place orders with suppliers Schedule staff using Planday or RotaCloud to optimize labour cost and coverage 3. Customer Experience Set the tone for excellent, friendly, and efficient customer service Handle customer feedback with professionalism Ensure the space is welcoming and functional (seating, Wi-Fi, ambiance) 4. Financial & Commercial Monitor and control labour, waste, and COGS in line with budget Track daily/weekly sales performance against targets Conduct monthly P&L reviews with owners Implement upselling strategies and loyalty program execution 5. Event Support & Brand Execution Support delivery of Thursday evening Bar Snack events Host and organise periodic customer engagement events (e.g., “Catalyst Conversations”) Ensure visual merchandising aligns with brand values Person Specification: Essential Skills & Experience 2+ years café, bakery, or restaurant management experience Strong leadership and team-building capabilities Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills Financial literacy (understanding P&L, margin, rota planning) Passion for specialty coffee and contemporary food culture Desirable Knowledge of or experience with hospitality turnaround or startup Familiarity with inventory software, POS systems (e.g. Square, Lightspeed) First Aid and Food Hygiene Level 2+ certified Understanding of the London café market and customer base What We Offer: Autonomy and ownership of a café with strong community roots Quarterly profit-share bonus Free meals and unlimited specialty coffee Professional development and coaching Opportunity to shape the future of the Catalyst brand