Retail and Cafe Manager at Wigmore Valley Park in Luton

Royal Voluntary Service cafes are part of the fabric of the community and a real asset in their own right. Staffed by employees and volunteers, we provide an outstanding range of beverages and healthy food choices. Our customers love the fact that the money they spend with us pays for volunteer action in hospitals and the community.

Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Retail and Cafe Manager to join our team at Royal Voluntary Service Cafe Wigmore Valley Park, 66 Eaton Green Road, Luton, LU2 9JB. You will join us on a part‑time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a salary of £13.19 per hour (FTE £24,023 per annum).

Location: Royal Voluntary Service Cafe Wigmore Valley Park, 66 Eaton Green Road, Luton, LU2 9JB.

Hours: During off‑peak periods, working Thursday to Sunday, 8:30am–4:00pm. During peak and holiday periods, working 28 hours across 4 days out of 7 on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays.

What You’ll Bring As Our Retail And Cafe Manager

• Your ability to communicate with a variety of people in a friendly and cheerful way will make a real difference to someone’s day.
• You will manage the effective operation of the retail outlet/s in maintaining outstanding store standards, whilst providing friendly, helpful, and excellent customer service to all customers.
• You will be responsible for the delivery of set KPI’s by directing, developing & managing a team to achieve set goals.
• Ensuring that all policy & procedures are followed at all times.
• You will bring excellent customer service skills, ensuring a positive and welcoming experience for all customers.
• Your strong communication abilities will facilitate clear and effective interactions with both customers and team members.
• With exceptional organisational skills, you will efficiently manage tasks and resources to meet operational needs.
• Your proficiency in industry‑standard IT systems, including Microsoft Office and email, will support administrative functions.
• Proven leadership and people management skills will enable you to motivate and guide your team effectively.

Job Requirements

• At least two years’ management experience.
• At a minimum, two years’ experience in a retail or café environment.
• At least two years’ cash handling experience.
• Experience working at management level within a similar retail/cafe environment, with a comparable turnover.
• Proven leadership and people management with great motivational skills.
• Experience working alongside volunteers would be advantageous.
• Knowledge in Food Safety & Health & Safety procedures would be advantageous.
• Good understanding of EPOS/Till systems.
• Proficient in the use of IT systems, for example Microsoft Office, Email to a basic level.
• Knowledge and experience of general administrative processes.
• Can remain calm & professional in fast paced environment.
• The ability to deliver excellent customer service through your team.
• Able to communicate in a consistent and effective manner.
• A flair for Organising, Delegating & Prioritising.
• Flexible to the needs of the business & can attend out of hours training if required.
• Willingness to undertake training and continuing professional development.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the store’s operations, including stock control, staffing, and ensuring smooth day‑to‑day functioning.
• Regularly monitor performance and adjust costs as needed based on turnover.
• Maintain exceptional store standards, ensuring a safe, clean and organised environment.
• Ensure compliance with statutory standards, including Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, Data Protection, and Financial controls.
• Lead by example to create a positive volunteer experience.
• Motivate and engage both volunteers and employees through effective communication.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and training to your team in order to ensure compliance with Royal Voluntary Service Policies and Procedures.
• Implement processes to manage team performance and drive improvement.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers and employees to meet operational requirements.
• Use management reports to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Regularly visit competitors to identify trends and take appropriate action locally.
• Collaborate with your Area Manager to develop the Retail Business Plan.
• Establish an effective working relationship with local stakeholders.
• Providing regular performance updates to the Area Manager.
• Be prepared to work flexible hours aligned with store trading hours.

This Is How You’ll Be Doing It

• Enable Volunteers: Demonstrate an understanding of how their role impacts and supports volunteers and their experience within the charity.
• Leadership: Take charge of, empower and direct people and activities.
• Supporting & Managing Others: Enjoy supporting other people and contribute to joint activities.
• Service Delivery Focused: Identify and focus on the individual needs and concerns of the customer.
• Networking: Build effective relationships and work well in an environment of mutual support.
• Analysing Information: Enjoy analysing data and seek to identify key elements in information.
• Planning and Organising: Think things through well in advance and map out future activities.
• Quality Orientation: Pay attention to detail and focus on getting things right.
• Drive and Determination: Be ambitious and determined to succeed.
• Commercial Awareness: Work with facts and figures to evaluate things properly.
• Resilience: Bounce back from setbacks and manage work challenges.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Value difference and promote practices that celebrate equality and diversity.

Job Benefits

• Salary of £13.19 per hour (FTE £24,023 per annum).
• 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata).
• Ten weeks’ company sick pay following successful completion of probation.
• A great pension scheme.
• 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit, subject to qualification.
• Enhanced Family Leave schemes.
• An employee benefits package that gives access to an exclusive rewards website.
• A 24‑hour doctor line, financial support with dental/optical and other therapies.
• A free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six face‑to‑face counselling sessions included.
• Extensive online and on‑the‑job training to ensure you will succeed in your role.
• Opportunities to discuss flexible working.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career.
• The chance to make a positive, lasting impact that changes lives, communities and society.

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Retail and Cafe Manager please click ‘apply’ today; we’d love to hear from you! The closing date for this role is 16 April 2026. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

At Royal Voluntary Service our goal is to welcome everyone and build inclusive and diverse teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work.