At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a brand-new café, shaping its culture and operations from day one.
- 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: Create a welcoming space where customers love to return for great coffee and food.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management or fast-paced food environments is essential.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 34000 £ per year.
Location: Sainsbury's Barnstaple
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. From day one, it’s a place designed to feel local, welcoming, and worth coming back to.
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 in Barnstaple employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Compass Group UK & Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to manage a brand-new café in Barnstaple, where you can shape the culture and create a welcoming space for customers. With a strong focus on employee growth through comprehensive training programmes and a supportive work environment, you'll enjoy competitive pay, extensive benefits, and the chance to lead a passionate team in a vibrant retail setting. Join us to make meaningful connections and build something special from the ground up.
Contact Details:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Manager in Barnstaple
✨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 a specific café, pop in and introduce yourself. A friendly chat with the current team can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your skills! Prepare to discuss your previous experience managing cafés or food operations. Bring examples of how you've built teams and improved service – it’ll set you apart!
✨Tip Number 4
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 in Barnstaple
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for coffee and food shine through! We want to see how excited you are about creating a welcoming café atmosphere that people will love.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your previous café or retail management experience. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team and set high standards, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Personable:Remember, we’re all about creating connections! Use a friendly tone in your application to show us that you’re a people-focused leader who can build strong relationships with both your team and customers.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply 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 Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨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 welcoming atmosphere and how you would ensure that every customer experience is special.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Café Manager, you'll need to lead by example. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and motivated teams in the past. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you foster a positive work environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Quality
This role is all about great food and coffee. Be prepared to discuss your passion for quality ingredients and service. Share any experiences where you’ve implemented high standards in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Operational Questions
Expect questions about managing stock, health and safety standards, and operational processes. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be ready to discuss how you would handle challenges in a fast-paced environment.
