At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the café operations, ensuring a seamless customer experience and managing menus effectively.
- Company: Join a beautiful, high-end garden centre café with a loyal customer base.
- Benefits: Enjoy predictable hours, 28 days holiday, staff discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Employee Ownership Trust offers you a stake in the business and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Experience a calm, premium setting with a focus on work-life balance and team development.
- Qualifications: At least 2 years in catering management, with strong leadership and commercial awareness.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Blueberry Café, Coolings Lifestyle, Main Road, Knockholt, Kent TN14 7LJ
Days / Hours: Permanent, Full Time – 40 hours per week including alternate weekends (Some flex up in peak periods)
Salary: From £30,000 per year, depending on experience
This is a rare chance to step into a catering role that doesn’t demand burnout to succeed. If you’re ready to bring your experience into a setting where you can lead properly, work to your best and enjoy your surroundings, we’d love to hear from you.
Set within a beautiful, high-end garden centre, our café offers a calm, inspiring environment – surrounded by greenery, natural light and a loyal customer base that genuinely enjoys being here. This isn’t high-street chaos or late-night service. It’s quality, consistency and pride in what you deliver.
We’re looking for a Catering Manager who is very organised, takes ownership of performance and leads from the front – someone who is just as comfortable working with numbers on a spreadsheet as they are leading and mentoring a team member serving customers.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Predictable, sociable hours – no late nights, more time for life outside work
- A calm, premium environment – say goodbye to stressful, high-pressure service
- Work-life balance that actually exists
- A stable, established operation with room to shape, improve and grow
- A great team that you can develop, not just manage.
The Role
You’ll take full ownership of the café operation, ensuring it runs smoothly, profitably and consistently to a high standard. This is a role for someone who is highly organised and loves getting things in order, works to a process and strives to make things simple and clear, but who also understands that great hospitality is built through people delivering quality food.
You will:
- Oversee daily operations, ensuring a seamless customer experience
- Manage menus with a commercial mindset – balancing quality, cost and efficiency
- Take control of the numbers, margins, stock and reporting
- Implement and refine processes that drive clarity, consistency and performance
- Lead, support and develop a great team of people – working alongside them, not “above” them
- Build a positive, accountable culture where standards are understood and upheld
About You
You’re not just experienced, you’re focussed in the way you work.
- Have at least 2 years’ proven experience in a catering or café management role
- Commercially aware – confident with profit margins, cost control and admin
- A hands-on leader who builds trust, develops and inspires people
- Calm, measured and solutions-focused
- Someone who values quality of life as much as quality of service
- Pleasant, people-centred work environment in great location
Our employees own a big part of the business through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
Opportunity to develop your skills and grow within the company.
28 days holiday with 2 days’ additional holiday after 3 years’ service.
Birthdays off after first complete year of service.
Generous staff discount, company pension and free on-site parking.
Uniform is provided.
Own transport arrangements are essential as public transport is not reliable to Coolings.
Catering manager – Full time – Permanent employer: Coolings Nurseries
Coolings Lifestyle is an exceptional employer that values teamwork and customer service, making it a fantastic place for individuals looking to grow in the retail sector. With a supportive work culture, opportunities for personal development, and unique perks like having your birthday off and free onsite parking, employees can thrive in a friendly environment while contributing to a well-respected brand in Knockholt, Kent.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering manager – Full time – Permanent
✨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 Coolings Nurseries. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Coolings Nurseries
Don't be shy about reaching out to Coolings Nurseries 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 Catering manager – Full time – Permanent
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 Coolings Nurseries 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 Coolings Nurseries
✨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!
