At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy café, ensuring excellent service and smooth operations.
- Company: Join Compass, a leader in the catering industry with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, wellness classes, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Work Monday to Friday, with no evenings or weekends!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management and strong leadership skills required.
Location: HS2 Curzon Street Construction Site, Birmingham
Salary: £31,300 per annum
Monday to Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm. No evening or weekend work required.
We're recruiting an experienced and passionate Café Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of our busy site canteen based at the HS2 Curzon Street development in Birmingham. This is a hands-on role for a strong leader who can deliver excellent customer service, maintain high standards, and ensure smooth operations within a fast-paced construction environment.
As Café Manager, you'll take full responsibility for the catering operation, leading a small team to deliver a high-quality food service while driving efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities- Lead, supervise, and develop the catering operation on site
- Manage and support a team of 1 Catering Assistant
- Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the canteen service
- Manage stock, ordering, budgets, and labour costs to achieve agreed targets and KPIs
- Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety compliance
- Deliver an excellent customer experience for site workers and visitors
- Identify opportunities to improve service, efficiency, and sales
- Train, coach, and motivate team members to perform at their best
- Ensure food quality, presentation, and service standards are consistently maintained
- Passionate about delivering exceptional customer service
- Previous experience managing a café, canteen, retail, or catering operation
- Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills
- Experience managing budgets, stock control, and performance targets
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and relevant catering qualifications are desirable
- A motivated, hands-on manager who thrives in a busy environment
- Comfortable working within a construction site setting
- Based within the canteen facilities at the HS2 Curzon Street construction site, Birmingham
- Managing a team of 1 Catering Assistant
- Due to the nature of the location, parking is very limited, so alternative travel arrangements should be considered
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Please note: This role is contracted to weeks per year.
About UsAs part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Cafe Manager in Birmingham employer: Chartwells Independent
Join Constellation at Molineux Stadium, where we pride ourselves on creating a vibrant and supportive work environment for our Kitchen Porters. With flexible matchday roles, you'll have the chance to be part of thrilling events while enjoying opportunities for personal growth and development within the Levy UK family. Our commitment to high standards and teamwork ensures that every employee feels valued and integral to our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Manager in Birmingham
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Chartwells Independent. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Chartwells Independent
Don't be shy about reaching out to Chartwells Independent directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Chartwells Independent and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
