General Manager (London)

General Manager (London)

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead daily operations, manage staff, and ensure exceptional guest experiences.
  • Company: Qima Patisserie & Kitchen redefines hospitality with a unique blend of café culture and elegant dining.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, free meals, a pension scheme, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team in a vibrant environment focused on quality service and culinary excellence.
  • Qualifications: 3-5 years in café or restaurant management; strong leadership and operational skills required.
  • Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in high-volume settings and love coffee and food culture.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

About Us:

Qima Patisserie & Kitchen is a pioneering concept that blends the warmth of café culture with the elegance of plated desserts and the comfort of soulful brunch and lunch dining. With a mission to redefine everyday hospitality, we operate across two London locations, delivering best-in-class guest experiences rooted in craftsmanship, quality, and detail.

Role Overview

As a Cafe Manager, you will lead one of Qima Café’s sites, ensuring operational excellence, team success, and exceptional guest experiences. You will be the on-the-ground leader responsible for your café’s performance—bringing to life Qima’s vision while maintaining a welcoming, efficient, and standards-driven environment. This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives in premium, high-volume café or boutique restaurant settings and is passionate about service, coffee, and food culture.

Key Responsibilities

A) Daily Operations & Floor Leadership

Lead all day-to-day operations including opening/closing, floor management, and service flow. Maintain a strong presence during trading hours, particularly peak periods, to support teams and proactively solve issues. Ensure all SOPs, checklists, and service protocols are followed consistently.

B) Scheduling, Rota & Workforce Planning

Create and manage staff schedules using Workforce, aligning labour with forecasted sales and peak trading times. Ensure optimal staff coverage, adapting schedules as needed for holidays, absences, and service needs.

C) Team Leadership & Development

Recruit, onboard, train, and retain a high-performing FOH and barista team. Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and team meetings to align on goals and service expectations. Foster a positive, inclusive team culture with high morale and strong accountability.

D) Guest Experience & Brand Delivery

Champion Qima’s hospitality values through personalised, thoughtful service and a warm guest atmosphere. Oversee the consistent execution of plated desserts, brunch/lunch service, and takeaway offerings. Monitor guest feedback and resolve complaints with care and professionalism.

E) Compliance, Safety & Standards

Ensure food hygiene, health & safety, and site compliance protocols are strictly followed. Maintain accurate and up-to-date site documentation (HACCP logs, incident reports, audits). Lead internal audits and implement corrective actions where needed.

F) Product Execution & Coordination

Ensure smooth kitchen/FOH coordination, especially for ticket flow and presentation during plated dessert and brunch services. Support new menu launches, promotions, and seasonal service transitions.

Essential

  • 3–5 years of experience in café, casual dining, or boutique restaurant management.
  • Experience managing staff rotas using Workforce or similar platforms.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Operational knowledge of P&L, stock control, and service flow.
  • Passion for hospitality, coffee, and food quality.
  • Availability across mornings, weekends, and peak trading times

Desirable

  • Experience in patisserie or plated dessert service.
  • Familiarity with premium coffee programs or brunch service.
  • Exposure to cost and labour management in a high-volume, high-standard setting.

Benefits:

  • Competitive compensation
  • Pension scheme with employer contributions
  • Free staff meals during shifts
  • Cycle to work Scheme
  • Opportunities for internal growth and career development
  • Employee discounts and other perks

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General Manager (London) employer: Bailies Coffee Roasters

At Qima Patisserie & Kitchen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for internal advancement, all while enjoying competitive compensation and benefits such as free staff meals and a pension scheme. Join us in London, where you can lead a passionate team dedicated to delivering outstanding guest experiences in a dynamic café environment.
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Contact Detail:

Bailies Coffee Roasters Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land General Manager (London)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Qima Patisserie & Kitchen's unique concept and values. Understanding their blend of café culture and plated desserts will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network within the London hospitality scene. Attend industry events or connect with current employees on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights into the company culture and potentially get a referral.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to foster a positive team culture and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for food and coffee culture. Engage in conversations about trends in the industry, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to Qima’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship in their offerings.

We think you need these skills to ace General Manager (London)

Leadership Skills
Operational Management
Staff Scheduling and Workforce Planning
Customer Service Excellence
Conflict Resolution
Food Hygiene and Safety Compliance
Performance Management
Team Development and Training
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Financial Acumen (P&L, Stock Control)
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability in High-Volume Environments
Passion for Hospitality and Food Culture

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Company Culture: Familiarise yourself with Qima Patisserie & Kitchen's mission and values. Highlight your alignment with their focus on hospitality, quality, and guest experience in your application.

Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects relevant experience in café or restaurant management. Emphasise your leadership skills, operational knowledge, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to enhance guest experiences.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food culture and hospitality. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or improved operations in previous roles, particularly in high-volume settings.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, detail your experience with staff scheduling, training, and compliance. If you have experience in patisserie or managing premium coffee programs, make sure to include that as it aligns with the role's requirements.

How to prepare for a job interview at Bailies Coffee Roasters

✨Show Your Passion for Hospitality

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the hospitality industry during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've created memorable guest experiences in previous roles, as this aligns with Qima's mission to redefine everyday hospitality.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you manage teams effectively. Highlight your experience in recruiting, training, and developing staff, as well as how you foster a positive team culture, which is crucial for the General Manager role.

✨Understand Operational Excellence

Familiarise yourself with the daily operations of a café or restaurant. Be ready to talk about your experience with managing schedules, service flow, and compliance with health and safety standards, as these are key responsibilities of the position.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Prepare examples of how you've handled guest complaints or operational challenges in the past, demonstrating your ability to maintain service quality under stress.

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