Cafe Manager
il y a 6 jours
Abingdon
Help us launch a new café and shop at one of Oxfordshires most loved green spaces Earth Trust is launching a new café and shop at the foot of the Wittenham Clumps in September 2026, and were looking for a practical, commercially minded and people-focused Café Manager to bring it to life. This is a rare opportunity to shape a brand-new visitor offer from the ground up. Youll create a welcoming grab-and-go café and small shop that reflects Earth Trusts values, celebrates local and sustainable products, and helps thousands of people enjoy their visit to this extraordinary landscape. The café will offer fresh, locally sourced, pre-prepared food and drink for walkers, families, school groups, event visitors and people spending time in nature. It will open alongside the new track and car park being delivered as part of our Gateway to Nature project, supporting a growing visitor experience at the Earth Trust Centre. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys running a great day-to-day operation while also spotting opportunities to grow income, improve the customer experience and build something with real purpose. _ About Earth Trust Earth Trust is an environmental charity that cares for and helps people connect with green spaces across Oxfordshire and beyond. We champion accessible natural places, inspiring experiences and practical action for people and planet. Our work at the Wittenham Clumps and surrounding landscape welcomes visitors, families, schools, volunteers and communities throughout the year. The new café and shop will play an important role in helping people enjoy their visit and supporting Earth Trusts long-term financial sustainability. _ About the role As Café Manager, you will lead the launch and daily management of the café, shop and visitor welcome offer. Youll make sure the operation is: Welcoming and customer-focused Efficient and well organised Safe, clean and compliant Commercially effective Aligned with Earth Trusts values and visitor experience The café is expected to serve around 30,000 customers a year as part of a 364-day visitor operation, with seasonal opening hours focused on daytime trade. Youll plan around weekends, bank holidays, school holidays, events, group visits, seasonal peaks and quieter periods. _ Key responsibilities You will: Lead the launch and day-to-day running of the café, shop and visitor welcome space. Manage opening, closing, service readiness, cleanliness, presentation and customer service standards. Create a warm, efficient and high-quality experience for visitors, families, schools, groups and event attendees. Supervise café staff, casual workers and seasonal team members. Prepare rotas and deploy staff effectively in line with visitor numbers, bookings, events and trading patterns. Train staff in customer service, till use, EPOS procedures, food hygiene, allergens, cleaning routines and safe working practices. Manage stock, ordering, deliveries, waste, pricing and product performance. Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene, allergen and health and safety standards. Use EPOS and sales data to monitor income, customer numbers, average spend, stock use and waste. Identify opportunities to improve the café and shop offer, increase income and support Earth Trusts wider visitor experience. Work with local and sustainable suppliers where appropriate. Support café provision for events, group visits and seasonal visitor activity. _ About you Youll bring strong hospitality or retail experience and a genuine interest in people, place and purpose. You may already be managing a café, catering outlet, visitor attraction café, events venue, retail team or similar customer-facing operation. Youll be confident working in a hands-on environment, leading a team, solving daily operational problems and keeping service standards high. You will have: Experience in café, catering, hospitality, retail, visitor attraction or events operations Experience supervising or managing staff, including rotas, training and day-to-day support Good understanding of stock control, ordering, waste management and cleaning routines Confidence using tills, EPOS systems or sales reports Strong customer service skills and the ability to create a welcoming experience Commercial awareness, including income, average spend, cost control, waste and margin Good knowledge of food safety, hygiene, allergens and safe working practices The flexibility to work across a visitor operation that includes weekends, bank holidays and seasonal peaks Experience developing menus, working with local suppliers, supporting events or operating in the not-for-profit sector would be an advantage. Most importantly, youll be practical, organised, values-led and excited by the opportunity to shape something new. _ Additional information The role will be based at the Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire. The café will operate as part of a 364-day visitor operation. Weekend, bank holiday and school holiday working will be required. Opening hours are expected to focus on daytime visitor trade. No regular foreign travel is required. _ How to apply Please send your CV and covering letter via our website details Your covering letter should explain why you are suitable for the role and what attracts you to this opportunity. Further details are available in the recruitment pack. Closing date: Sunday 14 June Interviews will take place on a rolling basis as suitable candidates apply. This means the closing date may be brought forward if a suitable candidate is appointed. TPBN1_UKCT