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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant café team and create unforgettable customer experiences.
- Company: Join Hampshire Cultural Trust, a leader in cultural experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and health perks.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to community engagement and cultural enrichment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing food and beverage teams in busy settings.
The predicted salary is between 28500 - 32500 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: ÂŁ28,500 to ÂŁ32,500 per annum
Location: Milestones Museum, Basingstoke
Hours: 37 hours per week including regular weekends and ad hoc evenings
Type of Contract: Permanent
Do you have the passion and leadership skills to deliver outstanding café experiences at one of Hampshire’s flagship cultural venues? As Café Manager you’ll lead the day‑to‑day operation of Milestone’s on‑site café, tea tent and historic pub, as well as the seasonal café at Basing House, ensuring a consistently high‑quality offer that enhances every visitor’s experience. You’ll set and maintain exceptional standards of customer service and presentation, manage and develop a dedicated kitchen and front of house team, and play a key role in driving commercial performance.
A bit about you: You’ll bring solid experience managing a high‑performing food and beverage team within a busy, customer‑focused environment. You’ll have a strong understanding of commercial café operations, from stock management and food safety to cost control and delivering against targets, and you’re confident working with budgets and KPIs. A natural people leader, you’re visible on the floor, supportive, and skilled at motivating staff through coaching, clear communication, and a collaborative, inclusive approach. You thrive in fast‑paced settings, stay calm under pressure, and take pride in creating a welcoming, safe, and efficient operation. You’ll also bring strong IT skills, excellent organisational ability, and the drive to continuously review and improve the customer experience.
What it’s like to work for us: At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 19+ attractions across Hampshire and deliver county‑wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture. We are committed to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work. We aim to be inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and seeks to engage.
The benefits of working for us:
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro-rated for part time working)
- 7.5% Employer pension contributions
- Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Emergency leave scheme
- Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
- Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Interest-free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
- Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
- Access to same day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
- Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
- Free flu vaccination vouchers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
- Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
- Free tea and coffee in all our venues
- Team Card - Free access to our fee paying venues and discounts across café and retail.
Cafe Manager in Hampshire employer: Hct
Contact Detail:
Hct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Manager in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café scene in Basingstoke! Visit local cafés, chat with staff, and understand what makes them tick. This will not only give you insights but also help you connect with the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend local events or workshops related to food and beverage management. Meeting people in the industry can lead to valuable connections and even job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance, volunteer to lead a project or team at your current job. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and motivate others, which is key for a Café Manager role.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at Hampshire Cultural Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Manager in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for café management shine through! We want to see how excited you are about creating outstanding experiences for our visitors. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Café Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing food and beverage teams, and don’t forget to mention your skills in stock management and customer service. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experience.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Hampshire Cultural Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hct
✨Know Your Café Operations
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of café operations, from stock management to food safety. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these aspects in previous roles, as this will show your understanding of what it takes to run a high-performing café.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've motivated your team in the past. Think about specific situations where your coaching and communication skills made a difference, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead effectively in a busy environment.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Be ready to talk about how you’ve enhanced customer experiences in previous roles. Share specific strategies you’ve implemented to improve service quality and how you’ve handled feedback, as this aligns perfectly with their focus on delivering outstanding café experiences.
✨Understand Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Hampshire Cultural Trust's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these values in your role as Café Manager, showing that you’re not just a fit for the job, but also for their culture.