At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate our entire drinks programme, from coffee to seasonal beverages.
- Company: Join the vibrant Farmer J team, passionate about great food and drinks.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, daily food allowance, 50% off meals, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a dynamic and ambitious environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on our drinks experience and grow with us.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in multi-site hospitality and deep coffee expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do you “give a fork” about what you do? Do you love great food? Then this is for you! We’re looking for a highly knowledgeable and detail-oriented Coffee Operations Manager to join the Farmer J farm-ily! Drinks are one of Farmer J’s highest-potential categories – commercially, creatively and as part of the customer experience. We’re hiring a Coffee Operations Manager to own the entire programme end-to-end: coffee, hot drinks, cold drinks, smoothies, juices and seasonal launches. You’ll be responsible for the product, the training, the quality and the commercial performance of every drink served across our estate. This is a senior, hands‑on role. Coaching teams, visiting shops and leading from the front are an essential part of this role. You’ll set the standard for what a Farmer J drink looks, tastes and feels like – and then make sure that standard shows up in every site, every day.
What you’ll be doing as our Coffee Operations Manager:
- Own the full drinks range across coffee, hot drinks, cold drinks, smoothies, juices and seasonal beverages. This includes both barista‑made drinks and retail drinks.
- Lead all seasonal drinks launches, aligned to the food menu calendar.
- In partnership with the Commercial Director, select suppliers and partnerships – roasters, milks, syrups, juice bases and equipment partners.
- Maintain an active innovation pipeline informed by global trends, customer insight and competitor benchmarking.
- Set drinks quality standards across every site in the UK.
- Design and roll out barista and front‑of‑house training programmes, in partnership with L&D team.
- Build SOPs, recipe cards, calibration protocols and audit frameworks.
- Own the drinks KPIs: customer feedback, revenue, mix, margin and attachment rates across all sites.
- Set pricing strategy in collaboration with the Head of Operations and Finance.
- Report weekly on drinks performance with clear actions to grow the category.
- Specify and standardise drinks equipment across the estate.
- Support new shop openings (NSOs), ensuring coffee areas are fully operational, correctly set up, and teams are trained and capable from day one.
- Manage supplier service contracts and maintenance schedules.
- Ownership of coffee machine settings and performance.
Our new Coffee Operations Manager will have:
- Significant experience leading a drinks or coffee programme in a multi‑site hospitality business (15+ sites).
- Deep coffee expertise – sourcing, roasting, extraction, equipment and barista craft to a high standard.
- Track record of developing and launching drinks products that have driven measurable revenue growth.
- Experience building and scaling training programmes across geographically distributed teams.
- Strong commercial acumen – comfortable reading a P&L and knowing which levers to pull.
- Hands‑on operator with the energy for regular site visits, bar work and team coaching.
- Background in fast‑casual, premium QSR or speciality coffee.
- US market experience, or appetite to support our New York site and US expansion a bonus!
- Strong supplier network across the UK coffee and drinks industry.
- Experience launching cold and seasonal beverage ranges.
What's in it for our Coffee Operations Manager?
- Salary £55,000 - £60,000 per annum depending on experience, plus bonus.
- Daily food and drink allowance during shifts.
- 50% discount across all our restaurants when off duty.
- You will never work on your birthday, and you will be paid for it!
- 31 days holiday per year, including bank holidays, and increasing with length of service.
- Medicash – subsidised healthcare cash plan.
- Employee Assistance Programme by Hospitality Action.
- Green commute – cycle scheme.
- A great opportunity to grow as we continue to grow!
Why Farmer J
We make good food that’s good for you, and is never boring. Whatever we do, we do it boldly. Working to achieve greatness but always maintaining humility. We’re a growing brand with big ambitions – if you want to be part of this, then apply today!
Head Office Positions employer: Food
Farmer J is an exceptional employer that prioritises a vibrant work culture and employee well-being, offering a competitive salary of £55,000 - £60,000 along with generous benefits such as a daily food and drink allowance, 50% discount at all restaurants, and 31 days of holiday per year. With a strong focus on personal and professional growth, employees are encouraged to innovate and lead within a supportive environment, making it an ideal place for those passionate about food and coffee to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Office Positions
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Farmer J’s values, their menu, and their approach to coffee. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you genuinely care about what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Coffee Operations Manager role. It’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to coffee operations and team management. Think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills and achievements in these areas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Farmer J farm-ily!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Office Positions
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Coffee:When you're writing your application, let your love for coffee shine through! Share your experiences and what makes you excited about the world of drinks. We want to see that you 'give a fork' about what you do!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in leading drinks programmes, especially in multi-site environments. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their deep coffee expertise and how it’s contributed to measurable success.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Coffee Operations Manager role. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our farm-ily!
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. Let’s get this journey started together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Food
✨Know Your Coffee Inside Out
As a Coffee Operations Manager, you need to demonstrate your deep coffee expertise. Brush up on sourcing, roasting, and extraction techniques. Be ready to discuss your favourite coffee trends and how they can be applied at Farmer J.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires hands-on leadership, so prepare examples of how you've successfully coached teams in the past. Think about specific training programmes you've developed and how they improved performance across multiple sites.
✨Understand the Business Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators like customer feedback, revenue, and margins. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive growth in previous roles, and how you plan to do the same at Farmer J.
✨Be Ready for Innovation Discussions
Farmer J values creativity, especially in their drinks programme. Come armed with ideas for seasonal launches or new drink concepts that align with current trends. Show them you're not just a follower but a leader in the coffee space!
