Job Overview
New Start Highland is a dynamic and leading social enterprise which creates opportunities for transformation in people's lives. Over the past 25 years New Start Highland has delivered a wide range of social services to transform Highland lives. New Start Highland also operates several commercial services to generate income to finance its charitable activities, including a new Café at our Carsegate site. Our new community café aims to support young people aged 16–25 in developing key hospitality and life skills.
We are seeking a Café Manager to lead and deliver high-quality, hands-on training in customer service, barista skills, and front-of-house operations. You will play a vital role in supporting young people, many of whom face barriers to employment, to gain confidence, accredited qualifications, and real-world experience, to help them build independent, sustainable futures, whilst also successfully managing a café to generate sustainable income and growth.
Purpose of Post - To manage our community café, including front of house and kitchen operations.
Accountable to - Operations Manager
Working Relationships -
This person will be responsible for all café staff (5 members of staff) and trainees. The post-holder will be required to develop effective and positive working relationships with all New Start Highland departments, colleagues and customers.
Key result area -
* To deliver a high quality, professional cafe service to meet departmental KPI's and New Start Highland quality standards.
* To deliver an excellent customer experience.
* To perform all duties of the post in a professional manner in line with New Start Highland culture and core values.
Main responsibilities
* To assist in ensuring that in all aspects of work, New Start Highland's values, policies and procedures are adhered to in a consistent manner.
* To maintain confidentiality.
* To liaise with staff, volunteers, service users and the general public in a courteous manner that promotes a positive image and upholds the company reputation.
* To always maintain safe systems of work ensuring quality of service and all relevant Health and Safety and hygiene regulations are consistently delivered.
* To communicate clearly and effectively with other members of the team and the general public.
Key Tasks
· Deliver practical training in front-of-house duties including customer service, till operation, order taking, barista skills, table service, and hygiene protocols.
· Supervise and mentor young trainees during café shifts, providing daily guidance, encouragement, and structured feedback.
· Support young people to complete hospitality-related qualifications (e.g. SCQF, REHIS Customer Service/Hygiene).
· Ensure a warm, inclusive, and welcoming café environment for customers and trainees.
· Oversee daily front-of-house and kitchen operations including cleanliness, customer flow, and service quality.
· Work collaboratively with kitchen and support staff to create a seamless training and customer experience.
· Model trauma-informed and person-centred practice in all aspects of the role.
· Any other duties appropriate to post
Conditions
The post is for full time (40 hours/week), worked flexibly to cover our café opening hours, which will be 7.30am to 4pm (Mon to Fri); 10am to 4pm (Sat & Sun).
There are 32 days annual leave per year inclusive of public holidays rising to 35 days after five years' service. There will be an opportunity to participate in a contributory pension scheme.
Core Skills and Competencies
Knowledge
Essential - Knowledge of customer service standards and health & hygiene regulations
Desirable - Relevant qualifications in hospitality, customer service, or training
Skills
Essential - Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to mentor and inspire young people.
* Passionate about youth development, inclusion, and social impact.
Experience
Essential - Experience in a front-of-house or customer-facing hospitality role.
* Previous experience of maintaining accurate records / documentation.
Desirable - Supervising and/or management experience.
Approach
Essential - Positive, patient, and adaptable, with excellent organisational skills.
* Exceptional ability to relate to people and form and develop constructive relationships at all levels.
* Ability to maintain good humour and remain focused under pressure.
* Solution Focused.
* Smart and presentable appearance.
* Team mind set.
* Good time keeping.
* Accountable and responsible.
* Initiative and common sense.
Other
This post is subject to Enhanced Disclosure "clearance" and Police Scotland checks.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £31,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: Cafe Manager