Café Manager

The Café forms part of a central hub, housing a daytime café for the community and an after-school Youth Café that connects vulnerable young people to positive and inspiring role-models from their community, empowering and inspiring them to become active citizens in their community. The space is used for two similar, but distinct purposes and excellent working relationships between these are essential. This role is responsible for the daytime café and related income generating activities.

An initiative of the Matrix Trust, our café has built an excellent reputation, with the vision to provide a space for local people to retreat to, where they will find a friendly welcome and an opportunity to give back to the community. Key elements include: quality coffee, delicious healthy food, a calm but welcoming environment, and an eco-friendly, low waste ethos.

The Café is open 5 days a week, 8:30am to 3pm on Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. 

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

● Oversee the efficient daily operation of the café, ensuring high standards and excellent customer service.

● Engage customers, take and serve orders, and drive sales.

● Ensure all health & safety and food safety standards are met.

● Maintain a clean, welcoming, and friendly environment for customers.

● Manage stock levels, place supply orders, and handle cash management, including cashing up and reporting till adjustments.

● Develop and maintain a visually inviting space with up-to-date menus and quality food offerings.

● Implement and follow food rotation and waste management procedures to minimise waste and maximise margins.

● Utilise and develop methods that encourage repeat business.

● Secure the café at the end of the shift.

● Ensure all food and drinks served are of the highest quality.

● Achieve and maintain an excellent food standards rating.

● Liaising with the Head of Operations, oversee maintenance and repair of café equipment, ensuring everything is in working order.

Customer Service

● Ensure customers have an efficient and enjoyable experience, consistently exceeding service and value expectations.

● Address customer complaints or refunds in a professional manner.

● Upsell products as appropriate and ensure the team is knowledgeable about the menu items.

● Foster a welcoming atmosphere for all customers, including regulars and first-time visitors.

Team Management

● Recruit, train, support, and lead a small team of paid staff, volunteers, and apprentices, including at-risk young people.

● Plan staff rotas, monitor performance, and conduct appraisals to recognise training needs and potential.

● Ensure the team maintains a clean, visually inviting space.

● Act as a positive role model for young apprentices, volunteers, and work experience students.

● Develop and implement staff development programmes, including team-building activities.

Café Development

● Develop seasonal menus and menu items to celebrate calendar events.

● Promote the vision of Matrix through the café.

● Be passionate about the vision of the café.

● Achieve café goals and targets set by the Board of Directors.

● Identify areas for development that will drive the business forward, keeping abreast of new concepts and ideas in the industry.

● Ensure that customers are given an efficient and enjoyable experience and that service and value expectations are consistently exceeded.

● Collaborate with marketing and business development to create promotional strategies, including social media campaigns.

Building and Event Management

● Liaise with the Head of Operations about any building maintenance issues.

● Promote the hireable spaces and arrange events that enhance the café’s offerings.

● Encourage use of the café by local groups such as creatives, book clubs, parents etc.

● Manage café events, ensuring the team sets up the space as required and that the hirers are properly looked after.

● Coordinate with local businesses and community organisations for partnerships and events.

General and Wider Charity Involvement

● Be a proactive part of the wider Matrix team, getting involved in projects that benefit the mission of Matrix, such as fundraising activities or team projects.

● Ensure knowledge of current Matrix projects and their impact.

● Participate in community outreach programmes and initiatives that align with the café’s social enterprise goals.

For further details, please see attached Job Pack.