At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team, ensuring exceptional coffee experiences and inspiring hospitality every day.
- Company: Join WatchHouse, Europe's Best Coffee Shop Chain, dedicated to elevating the coffee experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy bonuses, free drinks, training opportunities, and a vibrant workplace culture.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth phase with stunning new locations and a people-first environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for coffee, leadership skills, and a commitment to excellence in service and hygiene.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we value individuality and respect in our hiring process.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
WatchHouse is a group of specialty coffee Houses located in iconic neighbourhoods across London, Bath and New York. We are dedicated to elevating the coffee experience through our "Modern Coffee" philosophy. From our award-winning brews to our unmatched hospitality, we are proud to have been named Europe’s Best Coffee Shop Chain at the 2024 European Coffee & Hospitality Awards. Now, we are entering an exciting new chapter with stunning new locations launching soon at Battersea Power Station, Millennium Bridge, and Clapham. This is your moment to be part of something special.
We are looking for leaders. The role of House Manager is for bold, driven individuals who know that great leadership starts with people. As a House Manager at WatchHouse, you are the heart of your space: setting the tone, inspiring your team, and delivering unforgettable hospitality day in, day out. This isn’t a sit-back-and-observe kind of role. It’s dynamic, hands-on, and about listening, learning, coaching, and doing. Whether it’s leading service on a buzzing morning shift, mentoring your next superstar, or refining the guest experience, you are at the centre of it all.
At WatchHouse, we invest in our leaders. Bring the energy, curiosity, and commitment—and we will give you the training, support, and opportunities to grow into your future.
Key Responsibilities:
- Motivate and empower your team to consistently perform at their best, fostering a collaborative and passionate work environment.
- Take ownership of your House's financials, focusing on KPIs, and continuously seeking ways to increase revenue and drive efficiency.
- Oversee daily operations to ensure the Modern Coffee Experience is delivered to every guest, every day, knowing that hospitality is what sets WatchHouse apart.
- Ensure smooth opening and closing procedures, proactively manage issues, and maintain a well-stocked and functional cafe.
- Actively mentor and develop your team, ensuring opportunities for growth and development within WatchHouse.
- Manage and maintain all compliance in your House, from daily due diligence to EHO inspections.
- Uphold and instil the highest standards of cleanliness, quality, and service across the House.
- Create a vibrant, sociable, and exciting workplace that employees are proud to be a part of.
- Address challenges with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, ensuring a seamless customer experience.
- Work closely with senior management to align your House with WatchHouse's vision and goals.
Key Skills:
- Live and breathe the WatchHouse Core Values of Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do.
- Always maintain a high level of personal hygiene and appearance.
- A hands-on leader who motivates and supports their team to achieve operational and personal excellence.
- Comprehensive understanding of Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards.
- Strong understanding of financial metrics and the ability to drive a profitable and high-performing site.
- Skilled in managing both front-of-house and back-of-house operations in a high-volume environment.
- Passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences with attention to detail and quality.
- Thrive in a fast-paced environment, adjusting as needed to meet evolving business needs.
- Committed to mentoring and developing your team members to help them grow and succeed.
- Unwavering focus on cleanliness, organization, and maintaining impeccable service levels.
- Quick thinker who can address and resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
- Confident in making decisions, taking ownership, and leading your House independently.
What can you expect at WatchHouse:
- Beautifully designed Houses, working on industry-leading equipment and with fellow hospitality professionals.
- Contracted hours every week to give you stability and the ability to plan your personal life.
- Access to the House Manager bonus scheme (up to £8,000 per year).
- Free WatchHouse made drinks (even on your days off!).
- On and off shift training when you join the team to ensure you are set for success.
- Access to SCA training.
- 250g of free coffee each month.
- Access to the Cycle to Work scheme.
- A day off shift induction within your first two weeks of joining WatchHouse.
- Genuine opportunities for career growth within WatchHouse as we continue to grow.
- Free lunch on every shift.
- A social budget for each location to have fun with your team outside of work.
- An invite to the annual WatchHouse Party; including presenting the Core Value Awards and prizes such as a trip to Coffee Farms!
- 30% off food in any of our Houses, any time.
- 30% off our WatchHouse retail coffee, anytime.
Working at WatchHouse, we were born from a passion to do better. Diligence and attention to detail are paramount to what we do; we focus on the detail. We strive for perfection. We really care.
We are a people-first business, curious and interested in those around us. We treat everyone with respect. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, equality is insisted, and inclusion expected.
A company where we believe in having the right person in the role; personality and individuality at the top of the list of what we are looking for in applications and throughout our hiring process. We also know that everyone is different, and we value and respect diversity, standing up for equality and standing against any form of discrimination.
Decisions about and the treatment of people at work should be based on the individual’s abilities, skills, performance, and behaviour—these should be assessed against the WatchHouse job description requirements for each individual role.
We are always patient and considerate towards others. Encouraging, approachable, and communicating brilliantly. We strive to be the best we can be by giving and receiving regular and honest feedback in a professional manner.
We plan ahead, prioritise, and are mindful and respectful of the time of others. We complete every task to the best of our ability. Always happy to ask for help, work in cohesion with other people/departments, and share successes.
We work to make WatchHouse an environment of trust and camaraderie, where others are inspired to play their part in working effectively together. Building strong relationships with others and demonstrating positive energy. We recognise and value the contribution of others across the business, working together to deliver the Modern Coffee experience to each and every person touched by our business.
Our four core values - passion, can do, diligence, and empathy - are what make WatchHouse who we are. Our decisions are made based on these principles. To grow and succeed at WatchHouse, it is imperative that these values also resonate strongly with you and can drive your ambition in the same way they do ours.
Coffee Shop Managers - WatchHouse. employer: WatchHouse
Contact Detail:
WatchHouse Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Coffee Shop Managers - WatchHouse.
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with WatchHouse's core values: Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do. During your interactions, whether in interviews or networking, demonstrate how these values resonate with your own leadership style and experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in specialty coffee and hospitality. Being knowledgeable about current industry standards and innovations will not only impress during discussions but also show your commitment to elevating the coffee experience at WatchHouse.
✨Tip Number 3
Connect with current or former employees of WatchHouse on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've motivated teams and improved customer experiences in previous roles. Highlighting your hands-on leadership approach will align well with the dynamic nature of the House Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Coffee Shop Managers - WatchHouse.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: Before applying, take some time to understand WatchHouse's core values: Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do. Reflect these values in your application to show that you align with their culture.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in hospitality and leadership. Use specific examples of how you've motivated teams, managed operations, or improved customer experiences in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for coffee and hospitality. Share your vision for creating an outstanding customer experience and how you plan to inspire your team at WatchHouse.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Emphasise your hands-on leadership style in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments and how you plan to foster a collaborative atmosphere at WatchHouse.
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse
✨Show Your Passion for Coffee
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for coffee and the coffee culture during the interview. Share any personal experiences or knowledge about specialty coffee that aligns with WatchHouse's philosophy, as this will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
As a House Manager, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your previous leadership experiences, focusing on how you've motivated and developed team members. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've created a positive work environment.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing financials and KPIs, prepare to discuss your understanding of financial metrics. Bring examples of how you've successfully driven revenue and efficiency in past roles, showcasing your ability to manage a profitable site.
✨Align with Core Values
Familiarise yourself with WatchHouse's core values: Passion, Empathy, Diligence, and Can Do. Be prepared to share how these values resonate with you and provide examples of how you've embodied them in your previous work experiences.