At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant community café, ensuring excellent service and engaging activities.
- Company: Join a community-focused café making a real social impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and the chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow in a dynamic environment with a positive impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that brings people together and supports local wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality management and a passion for community engagement.
- Community Cafe Manager
- £31,900 (in probation) rising to £33,579
- Westwood, Peterborough
- Full-Time
- Permanent
- Full time Monday – Friday 07:30-3.30
Are you an experienced café, hospitality or catering professional looking for a role where you can combine commercial success with real social impact?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and entrepreneurial Community Café Manager to lead the West Raven Community Café.
This is an exciting opportunity to manage a thriving community enterprise that provides affordable, nutritious food while creating a welcoming space for local residents to connect, learn and thrive.
About the Role
As Community Café Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operation of the café, ensuring it is a safe, welcoming and successful environment for customers, volunteers and colleagues.
You will lead a small team, develop engaging community activities, manage budgets and stock, maintain excellent food standards, and help grow the café as a sustainable community business.
This role offers the chance to make a genuine difference by bringing people together, supporting community wellbeing, and creating opportunities linked to employability and education.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the daily operation of the Community Café, ensuring excellent customer service and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Manage and support café staff and volunteers through effective supervision, training and development.
- Develop attractive, affordable menus using fresh, seasonal produce.
- Maximise income while maintaining value for customers and careful control of costs and stock.
- Organise community events and activities that increase engagement and café attendance.
- Build relationships with community groups, local stakeholders, funders and business customers.
- Promote and market the café to attract new customers and visitors.
- Maintain the café's 5-star food hygiene standards and ensure compliance with HACCP processes.
- Manage budgets, cash handling, banking and financial reporting.
- Identify funding and grant opportunities to support the long-term success of the café.
About You
Essential
- Experience managing or establishing a café, restaurant or similar hospitality operation.
- Previous experience in a kitchen environment preparing meals for larger numbers of customers.
- Experience of menu planning and delivering quality, value and choice.
- Leadership experience with the ability to motivate, support and develop a team.
- Experience of budget management, stock control and cash handling.
- Experience working with and supporting volunteers.
- Excellent customer service, organisational and communication skills.
- Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Minimum Level 2 qualification in Culinary Skills, Professional Cookery or equivalent.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Enhanced DBS required
Desirable
- Experience developing and delivering business plans.
- Experience managing a community café or community enterprise.
- Experience in marketing and promoting hospitality businesses.
- Coaching, training and development skills.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a café management role.
It is an opportunity to lead a community hub that improves lives, supports local people and creates a lasting positive impact.
If you are passionate about hospitality, community engagement and making a difference, we would love to hear from you
Community Cafe Manager in Peterborough employer: Cross Keys Homes
Join us as a Community Cafe Manager in Westwood, Peterborough, where you will not only lead a thriving community enterprise but also make a meaningful impact on local lives. We offer a supportive work culture that values your contributions, with opportunities for professional growth and development, all while enjoying a competitive salary and the chance to create a welcoming space for community engagement. Be part of a team that prioritises social impact alongside commercial success, making this an exceptional place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Cafe Manager in Peterborough
✨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 Cross Keys Homes. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Cross Keys Homes
Don't be shy about reaching out to Cross Keys Homes 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 Community Cafe Manager in Peterborough
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 Cross Keys Homes 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 Cross Keys Homes
✨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!
