At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant café team, ensuring top-notch service and delicious food every day.
- Company: Join Bickerdikes Garden Centre, a family-run business with a stellar reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy free parking, generous staff discounts, and a guaranteed day off each week.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal development in a supportive and friendly environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a thriving café and make a real impact on customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality management and a passion for exceptional service.
The predicted salary is between 26100 - 31900 £ per year.
Location: Bickerdikes Garden Centre, Letchworth
Department: Norton's Café
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
Join Our Team
Are you an experienced and enthusiastic hospitality professional looking to take the next step in your career? Bickerdikes Garden Centre is seeking an exceptional Café Manager to lead Norton's Café – a thriving and popular destination serving freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and cakes every day. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Café or Restaurant Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys leading a successful team and is passionate about delivering outstanding customer service. We are looking for someone with energy, attention to detail and the vision to help drive the continued growth and success of our café through excellent leadership and innovative ideas.
About Us
Established in 1998, Bickerdikes Garden Centre is a proudly independent, family-run business with an excellent reputation for quality, service and value. We aim to be the destination of choice for garden enthusiasts while offering an outstanding café experience for our loyal customers. Our values are built around trust and integrity, family, teamwork, accountability and retail excellence. We believe in supporting our staff, encouraging personal development and creating a welcoming environment where people enjoy coming to work every day.
What We Offer
- Free on-site parking
- 15% staff discount in the Garden Centre
- 25% staff discount in Norton's Café
- 28 days' holiday, including Bank Holidays
- Retail-style working hours with no evening shifts or split shifts
- A guaranteed regular day off each week
- Every other weekend off (working a six-day week followed by a four-day week)
- The Garden Centre closes from 25th December until 2nd January, giving all staff a well-earned Christmas break
- Opportunities for training and development within a supportive family business
Key Responsibilities
As Café General Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of Norton's Café, ensuring exceptional customer service, high food standards and strong team performance. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading and managing the front-of-house team on a daily basis
- Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and customer service
- Serving customers and ensuring every guest enjoys an excellent experience
- Building strong relationships with customers to encourage repeat visits
- Recruiting, training and developing new team members
- Motivating, mentoring and supporting your team to achieve high performance
- Managing staffing levels, rotas and day-to-day operational requirements
- Liaising with wholesalers and suppliers regarding pricing, ordering and product ranges
- Handling customer enquiries and resolving issues professionally
- Maintaining excellent housekeeping standards throughout the café
- Ensuring full compliance with food hygiene, allergy legislation and Health & Safety regulations
- Supporting the continued growth of the café through new ideas and continuous improvement
Essential Skills & Experience
We are looking for someone who has:
- Previous experience managing a busy café, restaurant or hospitality venue
- Experience leading, motivating and developing a large team
- A passion for delivering exceptional customer service
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong organisational and leadership abilities
- A positive, professional and hands-on approach
- High standards of personal presentation and hygiene
- Flexibility to work retail hospitality hours, including weekends
- Eligibility to work in the UK
Qualifications
The successful candidate should hold, or be willing to obtain, the following qualifications:
Essential:
- Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering (or equivalent)
- Food Allergy Awareness Training compliant with current UK legislation
- Knowledge and practical experience of Safer Food Better Business (SFBB)
- A sound understanding of current Food Safety and Health & Safety legislation
Desirable:
- IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent Health & Safety qualification
If you're passionate about hospitality, enjoy leading people and want to play a key role in one of Hertfordshire's busiest independent garden centre cafés, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today with your CV and a covering letter to Mark Bickerdike telling us why you would be the perfect fit for Norton's Café at Bickerdikes Garden Centre.
Café Manager in Letchworth Garden City employer: Recruitment Services UK
Recruitment Services UK is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values skill development and teamwork. Located in Barrow-in-Furness, employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and robust pension contributions, all while working on innovative projects that enhance their professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Café Manager in Letchworth Garden City
✨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 Recruitment Services UK. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Recruitment Services UK
Don't be shy about reaching out to Recruitment Services UK 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 Café Manager in Letchworth Garden City
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 Recruitment Services UK 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 Recruitment Services UK
✨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!
