At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy Costa store, ensuring excellent customer service and team performance.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the hospitality industry with a focus on people development.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Potential for ongoing employment beyond the maternity cover contract.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role at a major hospital location.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or hospitality management and strong leadership skills.
Salary: Highly competitive
40 hours per week | 5 days out of 7 - Maternity Cover until 1st November 2027
Lead One of Our Largest and Busiest Costa Operations
Are you an experienced retail or hospitality leader ready to take on a high-profile, high-volume operation? We're seeking an exceptional Store Manager to lead our Costa store at Addenbrooke's Hospital, one of our largest and busiest locations. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys developing high‑performing teams while delivering outstanding customer experiences.
While this position is offered as a maternity cover contract until November 2027, we are committed to retaining great talent and there may be opportunities for a permanent role within our wider business for the right candidate. This role offers genuine ownership, significant responsibility, and the chance to make a real impact in a demanding yet rewarding environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Taking full accountability for the overall performance of a high-volume Costa store
- Leading, coaching and developing a large team to consistently deliver excellent customer service
- Driving sales performance, operational excellence and profitability
- Managing labour, stock control and cost efficiencies to maximise business performance
- Ensuring smooth day-to-day operations within a busy hospital environment
- Creating a positive, engaging and inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive
- Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, health & safety and brand compliance
- Using data, reporting and commercial insights to make informed decisions and improve results
- Acting as the senior leader on site, confidently managing challenges and identifying opportunities for improvement
What We’re Looking For
- Proven management experience within a fast‑paced retail, hospitality or food service environment
- Experience leading larger teams and managing high-volume operations
- A strong commercial mindset with the ability to drive performance and achieve targets
- An inspiring people leader who can motivate, develop and retain talent
- Resilience and confidence in a demanding, customer‑facing environment
- Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills
- Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels
- A hands‑on approach and willingness to lead from the front
What’s In It For You?
- Highly competitive salary
- The opportunity to manage one of our most significant Costa locations
- Exposure to a large-scale, fast‑paced operation with excellent career‑building experience
- A supportive organisation that actively invests in people development
- Potential opportunities for ongoing employment beyond the fixed‑term contract
- The chance to lead a well‑established team within a globally recognised brand
- A rewarding role where you’ll have real influence over customer experience, team engagement and business success
If you’re an ambitious leader looking for your next challenge and want to take ownership of a flagship Costa operation, we’d love to hear from you.
About Us
As 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!
Costa Store Manager NEW One Retail Posted today Competitive Cambridge Operations 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 Costa Store Manager NEW One Retail Posted today Competitive Cambridge Operations
✨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 Costa Store Manager NEW One Retail Posted today Competitive Cambridge Operations
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!
