At a Glance
- Tasks: Run the café, serve delicious drinks and food, and provide top-notch customer service.
- Company: Join a vibrant Innovation Centre with a friendly atmosphere.
- Benefits: Fixed hours, great experience, and a chance to meet new people.
- Other info: Opportunity to gain valuable skills and work in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Perfect for those who love coffee and enjoy working independently in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in food service and a passion for customer interaction.
We are looking for a friendly, organised and customer-focused temporary Café Assistant to run the Innovation Centre Café for approximately 10–13 weeks, from around 20 May to mid‑July (or possibly longer), to cover an unexpected period of staff sickness. The role is based at Innovation Centre Medway, which is well served by public transport and located on the Maidstone Road bus route from Chatham bus station.
Fixed working hours: 8.30am – 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
This is a physically demanding role, involving standing for most of the working day and working independently.
The postholder will have sole responsibility for the café, including:
- Preparing barista‑style coffee and hot drinks
- Taking customer orders and preparing sandwiches
- Preparing and serving buffets
- Serving cakes, snacks and cold drinks
- Operating the till and taking card payments
- Maintaining high standards of hygiene, cleaning and food safety
- Delivering friendly and professional customer service to tenants and visitors
Experience & Skills:
- Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene qualification (or willingness to obtain promptly).
- Previous experience working in a café, food service, or similar customer‑facing environment.
- Experience safely preparing hot drinks and simple cold food (e.g. sandwiches, salads).
- Understanding of health & safety requirements in a food or public‑facing setting.
- Experience working independently or as a sole worker, with good personal safety awareness.
- Basic cash handling and till experience.
- Good customer service skills with the confidence to deal with the public independently.
Cafe Assistant in Chatham employer: JoRecruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
JoRecruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Assistant in Chatham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café scene! Visit local cafés and chat with staff about their experiences. This will give you insights into what makes a great café assistant and help you stand out in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your barista skills at home! Whether it's brewing the perfect cup of coffee or whipping up a delicious sandwich, showing that you can handle food prep will impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your customer service skills. Role-play different scenarios with friends or family to build your confidence in dealing with customers. Remember, a friendly smile goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at the Innovation Centre Café.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Assistant in Chatham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When you're writing your application, let your friendly and organised nature shine through! We want to see your personality, so don’t be afraid to add a touch of warmth and enthusiasm to your words.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to mention any previous experience in cafes or customer service roles. We love seeing how you've prepared hot drinks or handled food safely, so give us the details that show you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to read and understand. This will help us see why you’d be great at running the café!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at JoRecruitment Limited
✨Know Your Coffee
Brush up on your barista skills! Be ready to discuss your experience with preparing coffee and hot drinks. If you can, mention any specific techniques or types of coffee you enjoy making. This shows your passion for the role and your ability to deliver quality service.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Think about times when you went above and beyond for a customer or handled a difficult situation. This will demonstrate your friendly and professional approach, which is key for this role.
✨Highlight Your Independence
Since this role involves working independently, be ready to talk about your experience in similar situations. Share stories that showcase your ability to manage tasks on your own, maintain hygiene standards, and ensure food safety without direct supervision.
✨Understand Health & Safety
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations related to food service. You might be asked about these during the interview, so having a solid understanding will show that you're serious about maintaining a safe environment for customers and staff alike.