At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a brand-new café, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK & Ireland, a leader in the food service industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth, and exclusive discounts on travel and shopping.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique talents and perspectives.
- Why this job: Shape a new café culture and create a welcoming space for customers.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management or fast-paced food environments is essential.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 34000 £ per year.
Location: Sainsburys Southampton
Contract: Full-time
Employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
£34,000 per annum - 5 out of 7 days - 40 hours per week
A brand-new café. A blank canvas. An opportunity to build something special from day one. Taste Café is about creating the small, everyday moments people genuinely look forward to — a quick coffee that turns into a catch-up, a bite to eat that hits the spot, and a space that feels easy, comfortable, and just right. This is a new café opening within a busy retail environment — fast‑paced, full of energy, and with huge potential.
The Role
This is a start‑up opportunity within an established business. As Café Manager, you’ll play a key role in bringing a brand-new site to life — setting standards, building a team, and shaping how the café looks, feels, and operates from the very beginning. If you’ve managed a café, retail unit, or fast‑paced food operation before, this is your chance to truly make it your own. You’ll lead from the front, set the tone, and turn a brand‑new café into a space people love — from the first morning coffee rush to the final close‑down of the day.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading the day‑to‑day running of a newly opened café, keeping everything smooth, organised and on point
- Recruiting, training and developing a strong team that delivers great service (and enjoys doing it)
- Setting and maintaining high standards across food, coffee and presentation
- Managing stock, performance and operational processes
- Creating a space that feels warm, relaxed and welcoming from day one
- Embedding consistency — because the little details matter
- Ensuring Health & Safety standards are always met and maintained
About You
If you’ve run a café, retail unit, or fast‑paced food environment, you’re well‑suited to this role — especially if you enjoy building teams and shaping operations. You’ll also be:
- A hands‑on leader who sets the pace and leads by example
- People‑focused — great with both your team and your customers
- Organised, proactive and calm under pressure
- Passionate about good food, great coffee and doing things properly
- Comfortable taking ownership and continuously improving performance
Why This Role?
This isn’t just another café management role. It’s a chance to open a new site, shape the culture, and create a destination — somewhere customers return to for the coffee, the food, and the atmosphere. You’ll have real ownership, support from a wider business, and the opportunity to build something that genuinely feels like yours from the ground up.
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
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!
Cafe Manager NEW One Retail Posted today £34,000 per year Southampton Operations employer: Chartwells Independent
Compass Group UK & Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to manage a brand-new café in the vibrant retail environment of Southampton. With a strong focus on employee growth through comprehensive training programmes and a supportive work culture, you will have the chance to shape a welcoming space that prioritises great service and quality food. Enjoy a competitive salary alongside a generous benefits package, including discounts on travel and groceries, wellness classes, and a contributory pension scheme, all while being part of a diverse team that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Manager NEW One Retail Posted today £34,000 per year Southampton Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the café and hospitality industry. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up in person! If you’re eyeing that new café manager role, pop by the café and introduce yourself. A friendly face can make a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Be ready to share how your experience aligns with their vision of creating a welcoming space and delivering great service.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Manager NEW One Retail Posted today £34,000 per year Southampton Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for coffee and good food shine through! We want to see how excited you are about creating a welcoming café atmosphere that people will love.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Share specific examples from your past roles that highlight your leadership skills and ability to manage a fast-paced environment. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure to showcase your relevant experience!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the unique aspects of this Café Manager role. Mention how you can contribute to building something special from day one.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Café Vision
Before the interview, think about how you would bring the café's vision to life. Be ready to share your ideas on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, as well as how you would ensure high standards in food and service.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a hands-on leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Share examples of how you've successfully built and motivated teams in previous roles, and how you plan to lead by example in this new café.
✨Prepare for Operational Questions
Expect questions about managing stock, performance, and operational processes. Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety standards, and be prepared to discuss how you would maintain consistency in service and product quality.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Food and Coffee
Let your enthusiasm for good food and great coffee shine through. Talk about your experiences with food operations and how you can contribute to making the café a destination for customers who appreciate quality and comfort.
