At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a brand-new café, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK & Ireland, part of a premium food experience network.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, structured training, and genuine career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape a new café culture and create a welcoming space for customers.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management and a passion for great food and coffee.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 31000 £ per year.
Salary: £31,000 per annum
Shift hours: Full Time
A brand-new café. A blank canvas. An opportunity to build something special from day one. Simple moments, made special. Great coffee. Freshly baked pastries. Proper food done well. Taste Café is about creating the small, everyday moments people genuinely look forward to — a quick coffee that turns into a catch‑up, a bite to eat that hits the spot, and a space that feels easy, comfortable, and just right. This is a new café opening within a busy retail environment — fast‑paced, full of energy, and with huge potential. From day one, it’s a place designed to feel local, welcoming, and worth coming back to.
The Role
This is a start‑up opportunity within an established business. As Café Manager, you’ll play a key role in bringing a brand‑new site to life — setting standards, building a team, and shaping how the café looks, feels, and operates from the very beginning. If you’ve managed a café, retail unit, or fast‑paced food operation before, this is your chance to truly make it your own. You’ll lead from the front, set the tone, and turn a brand‑new café into a space people love — from the first morning coffee rush to the final close‑down of the day.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading the day-to-day running of a newly opened café, keeping everything smooth, organised and on point
- Recruiting, training and developing a strong team that delivers great service (and enjoys doing it)
- Setting and maintaining high standards across food, coffee and presentation
- Managing stock, performance and operational processes
- Creating a space that feels warm, relaxed and welcoming from day one
- Embedding consistency — because the little details matter
- Ensuring Health & Safety standards are always met and maintained
About You
Qualifications and qualities:
- A hands‑on leader who sets the pace and leads by example
- People‑focused — great with both your team and your customers
- Organised, proactive and calm under pressure
- Passionate about good food, great coffee and doing things properly
- Comfortable taking ownership and continuously improving performance
Why This Role?
This isn’t just another café management role. It’s a chance to open a new site, shape the culture, and create a destination — somewhere customers return to for the coffee, the food, and the atmosphere. You’ll have real ownership, support from a wider business, and the opportunity to build something that genuinely feels like yours from the ground up.
Why Join Us?
As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, you’ll be working within our One Retail sector, delivering food experiences across some of the UK’s busiest and most recognisable environments. We offer:
- Structured training and development
- Genuine career progression opportunities
- The backing of a business that invests in its people
Joining One Retail means being part of a premium group working alongside well‑known brands such as M&S and Costa. Compass Group UK & Ireland is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We value diversity and believe it makes us stronger. One Retail — bringing food, coffee and people together, every day.
Location: Blackhall Edinburgh
Cafe Manager – Full Time – Blackhall Edinburgh employer: Recruit4Mum
At Compass Group UK & Ireland, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, especially for the Café Manager role in Blackhall, Edinburgh. This is a unique opportunity to lead a brand-new café, where you can shape the culture and create a welcoming atmosphere that customers will love. With structured training, genuine career progression opportunities, and the support of a well-established business, you'll be empowered to build something special from the ground up in a vibrant retail environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Manager – Full Time – Blackhall Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café scene in Edinburgh! Visit local cafés, chat with managers, and understand what makes them tick. This will give you insights into what customers love and help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend local food and beverage events or join online groups related to café management. Building connections can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for coffee and food! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your ideas on creating a welcoming atmosphere and how you’d make their café a go-to spot.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about joining our team and making a difference from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Manager – Full Time – Blackhall Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your love for good food and great coffee shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about creating memorable experiences for our customers.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any previous café or retail management experience you have. We’re keen to know how you've led teams, managed operations, and created welcoming spaces in the past. Specific examples will help us see how you can bring our new café to life!
Keep It Organised:Just like running a café, your application should be well-structured and easy to read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise language to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape a brand-new café from day one!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit4Mum
✨Know the Café Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Taste Café and understand its vision. Familiarise yourself with their menu, values, and what makes them unique. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Café Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate staff and create a positive work environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Quality
This role is all about great food and coffee. Share your passion for quality service and products during the interview. Talk about your experiences with food safety, presentation standards, and how you ensure customers have a memorable experience.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage a busy café or resolve customer complaints. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
