At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant café team and create an inviting atmosphere for coffee lovers.
- Company: Join Perfect Waves Café, part of Owens Coffee, a Fairtrade and Organic-certified roastery.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £30,000 salary, free parking, staff discounts, and monthly coffee perks.
- Other info: Daytime hours with opportunities for growth in a thriving independent business.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a unique café setting while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management and a passion for specialty coffee required.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 35000 £ per year.
Perfect Waves Café sits at The Roastery, alongside our fully operational roasting facility and our SCA-accredited (Specialty Coffee Association) barista training academy, so the coffee served is roasted, trained and perfected feet from where it's poured. Join us at our thriving café in Ivybridge, part of Owens Coffee, a Fairtrade and Organic-certified specialty roastery with over a decade of reputation across Devon. We believe in warm welcomes and creating a relaxed environment for friends, family and colleagues to connect over great-tasting, freshly roasted coffee.
As our Café Manager, you'll develop a rewarding environment for both your team and customers, making a difference to someone's day, every day, while building your own career within a growing, independent Devon business.
What you'll be doing:
- Cultivating a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere that reflects the essence of Perfect Waves Café.
- Leading, coaching and developing a team of professionally trained baristas, fostering a culture of coffee excellence.
- Running the day-to-day floor, including rotas, stock, standards, and pace, so the café performs on a quiet Tuesday or a heaving Saturday.
- Owning guest experience end to end: quality, consistency, and turning feedback into real improvement.
- Managing recruitment, absence, and team performance.
- Taking accountability for café-level performance, including sales growth, cost control, margins, and labour.
- Working closely with the wider Owens Coffee team to stay aligned on product, training, and standards coming out of the roastery.
- Keeping on top of health, safety, and hygiene compliance without it slowing the team down.
What you'll need:
- Previous experience managing or supervising in a busy, high-volume café; this isn't a first management role.
- Barista trained, with hands-on knowledge of calibration, milk, and latte art, so you can step behind the machine and back up your team.
- A genuine interest in coffee: where it comes from, how it's roasted, why it tastes the way it does.
- Availability to work weekends, our busiest and most important trading days.
- A hands-on, can-do leadership style with the composure to keep a fast-paced service running smoothly.
- Confidence managing budgets, rotas, and team performance.
- A food safety qualification (or willingness to obtain one quickly).
- Able to start position in August 2026.
What's on offer:
- £30,000 salary.
- Free on-site parking.
- Staff discount.
- A monthly coffee allocation to take home every month.
- Access to our SCA-accredited (Specialty Coffee Association) in-house training academy.
- A genuinely unique setting: manage a café built around a working roastery, not a generic high-street chain.
- Real progression within a growing, independent Devon business.
- Daytime hours, no late evenings.
How to apply:
If you've a passion for specialty coffee, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to lead a dynamic team, we'd love to hear from you.
CAF MANAGER in London employer: Owens Coffee
Perfect Waves Café in Ivybridge is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to manage a café that operates alongside a fully functional roasting facility and barista training academy. With a focus on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, employees benefit from a supportive work culture, professional development through SCA-accredited training, and the chance to grow within a reputable independent business. Enjoy competitive pay, free parking, and a monthly coffee allocation while working in a vibrant environment that values quality and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CAF MANAGER in London
✨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 Owens Coffee. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Owens Coffee
Don't be shy about reaching out to Owens Coffee 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 CAF MANAGER in London
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 Owens Coffee 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 Owens Coffee
✨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!
