Cafe Manager

Reporting to: CEO
Direct reports: Café Assistants and Café Supervisors
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,700 - £33,800 (pro rata)
Hours: 35 hours per week. Working days will vary in line with business requirements. Predominantly café based, with some office working will be required.
Location: Charleston in Firle (BN8 6LL) & Charleston in Lewes (BN7 1FB)

Charleston is seeking a proactive and positive individual with excellent interpersonal  skills to lead the catering offer across Charleston’s two sites. The Café Manager will manage the café’s daily operations, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for all visitors. Responsibilities include developing seasonal menus, supervising staff, handling stock orders, and leading the coordination of catering for public events and venue hire.

General duties

• Lead and deliver the catering offer, growing the business and maximising profits while maintaining a high-quality service and inclusive atmosphere for all customers.
• To manage the day to day running of the catering offer, including the scheduling and management of a café team.
• Coordinate, supervise, train and develop the café team.
• Lead on the catering offer for all aspects of Charleston’s year-round programme of events.
• The Café Manager will work alongside the Front of House and Events team to coordinate the catering for public events, and internal and external hires of our public spaces.
• Ensure that the barns, and all connected spaces are clean and well presented.
• Act as the designated alcohol licence holder, ensuring all activities comply with the premises licence and legal requirements.
• Act as a keyholder and open / close venues following security procedures.
• Maintain all food deliveries records.

Financial responsibilities

• Manage budgets for the café, staffing and all food related items. Frequently reviewing staff costs.
• Responsible for ordering food and related supplies.
• Maintain food delivery records and all discrepancies are followed up.
• Approval of invoices for food and related supplies.
• Review chosen suppliers against Charleston’s criteria including value for money.
• Responsible for maintenance of point of sales systems.
• Review receipts and other information from point of sales systems.
• Manage staff rotas, with reference to expected activity levels.

Visitor welcome

• Create and maintain a safe, professional and welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.
• Ensure that visitor access requirements are met.
• Contribute to the collective effort to keep the site clean and safe for visitors.

Health and safety

• Lead on food safety working with external support as required, ensuring records are kept up to date and training is completed.
• Maintain allergens documentation.
• Understand Charleston’s emergency procedures and in the event of an emergency, help oversee the safe evacuation of the buildings.
• Monitor health & safety day to day, being vigilant to potential hazards.