At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow our café, boosting revenue and elevating food and drink offerings.
- Company: The Gritstone, a vibrant café at Substation Brixton, the ultimate climbing hub.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, free climbing membership, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a thriving community space.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management, strong commercial skills, and a passion for hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Gritstone is the café at the heart of Substation Brixton, our bouldering and climbing centre. It is where climbers refuel between sessions, where friends and families hang out, where people work and linger, and where our community comes together. Over the past eight months the café has grown strongly. We are now looking for a commercially driven Café Manager to lead that next phase.
As the Café Manager your mission is clear: grow café revenue by 50% over the next six months. You will do that by raising service and cleanliness standards, expanding and elevating the food and drink offer, transforming the café environment, and raising the hospitality standards.
Key responsibilities- Drive the numbers: Take full ownership of the café’s sales and profitability. Grow the revenue by 50% over the first six months. Manage gross profit margins, set and review pricing, and control food and beverage costs without cutting quality. Build and execute a clear growth plan covering footfall, average spend and trading hours. Track performance daily, weekly and monthly against targets, and report clearly to the management team on what is working and what needs to change.
- Raise the offer: Expand and elevate the food and drink range. Identify and test new revenue streams - grab-and-go, retail, pre-orders, loyalty partnerships and seasonal ranges. Develop a coffee programme the café can be known for - from bean and supplier through to extraction standards and consistency in the cup. Build a food offer that is healthy, tasty and vegetarian, with strong vegan and gluten-free options throughout and crowd-pleasers alongside. Refresh the menu seasonally and run specials. Source and negotiate with suppliers to secure quality, reliability and the right margins. Drive speed and consistency at the counter, especially during peak times. Handle feedback and complaints smoothly.
- Set the standard and lead the team: Keep the café immaculate and organised, front of house and back of house. Achieve and protect a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating, with full food safety, HACCP and allergen compliance. Own cleaning rotas, opening and closing standards, and equipment hygiene and maintenance and staff training. Recruit, train, develop and inspire a café team that delivers on both standards and growth. Build and manage rotas and keep wage costs under control. Set clear expectations, give regular feedback, and manage performance fairly and directly. Manage stock control, ordering, deliveries, waste, EPOS and daily reconciliation.
- Support corporate offerings and events: Play a central role in delivering Substation’s new corporate package - providing food, drink and hospitality for corporate climbing days, team events and group bookings. Plan and cost catering packages, manage pre-orders, and deliver a polished, reliable experience for corporate clients. Plan the food, drink, staffing and opening hours around the events calendar, with the right offer for each type of event.
- Proven experience managing a café, coffee shop or food and beverage operation.
- A track record of growing sales and improving profitability - you can point to numbers you have moved.
- A strong commercial head: comfortable with targets, margins, labour costs and KPIs.
- High personal standards for service, cleanliness and presentation, and the drive to hold a team to them.
- Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate as a minimum (Level 3 desirable), with sound knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergens.
- Experience leading, training and scheduling a team.
- Experience in a high-volume, leisure, fitness or destination venue.
- Experience delivering events, group bookings or corporate catering.
- Menu development and supplier negotiation experience.
- Barista training or a coffee qualification (e.g. SCA).
- An interest in climbing, fitness or the active lifestyle our customers live.
- Salary: £35,000–£40,000 depending on experience, plus a performance bonus linked to the growth you deliver (OTE £40,000–£48,000).
- Free climbing membership at Substation.
- Staff discounts on food, drink and retail.
- A vibrant, friendly working environment at the heart of Brixton’s climbing community.
How to apply: Send your CV and a short note telling us how you would approach growing The Gritstone by 50% in six months with the subject line “Café Manager — The Gritstone”.
Cafe Manager in London employer: Substation Brixton
The Gritstone offers an exceptional work environment at the heart of Brixton's vibrant climbing community, where you can lead a passionate team and make a tangible impact on café growth. With competitive salary packages, performance bonuses, and free climbing membership, we prioritise employee well-being and development while fostering a culture of collaboration and high standards. Join us to elevate our café experience and enjoy the unique advantage of working in a dynamic leisure setting that values both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe 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 Substation Brixton. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Substation Brixton
Don't be shy about reaching out to Substation Brixton 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 Cafe 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 Substation Brixton 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 Substation Brixton
✨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!
