Job Title: Assistant Bistro Café Manager
Location: The Watering Place, Sudbury, Suffolk + Outside catering events.
(35+ hours per week, rota-based)
Salary: £19,500 to £22000 per annum
Reports to: Owners/Head Chef
About Us:
We are a friendly, family-run bistro café known for our warm hospitality, quality food, and close-knit team. Our business is built on community spirit and a genuine love for great service. In addition to running our café, we also offer outside catering for private functions, corporate events, and special occasions—so no two days are ever the same
Job Overview:
We're looking for an enthusiastic and capable Assistant Bistro Café Manager to help oversee daily operations, support our team, and maintain our high standards of service. This is a hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment and who takes pride in delivering great experiences both in the café and off-site at catered events.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Front-of-House Operations
* Oversee daily café operations to ensure a clean, efficient, and welcoming environment
* Maintain high standards of presentation across the dining area, counter, coffee station, gardens, entrance and other guest facing areas.
* Lead by example in providing a friendly, knowledgeable, and personal service to all customers
* Respond to customer enquiries, complaints, and feedback in a professional and positive manner
* Manage table flow, wait times, and guest expectations during busy periods with strong communication with staff and guests.
* Ensure the café opens and closes smoothly according to checklists and operational standards in a timely manner.
2. Team Supervision & Development
* Support the Café Manager in training new staff and onboarding seasonal hires
* Motivate and guide front-of-house staff to deliver consistent, high-quality service
* Monitor team performance during shifts and provide real-time support and encouragement
* Encourage open communication and a respectful team culture rooted in collaboration
* Help manage shift rotas to ensure proper staffing levels during peak and quiet times
3. Food & Beverage Oversight
* Assist with food prep, barista duties, and counter service when needed
* Ensure food and drink are served to the correct standard, portion, and presentation
* Maintain excellent knowledge of the menu, ingredients, and any allergen information
* Monitor food safety practices including temperature checks, hygiene logs, and allergen protocols
* Maintain a clean and organised workspace in line with food hygiene and safety regulations (Level 2 or 3 certification desirable)
4. Outside Catering & Events Support
* Assist with planning, packing, and preparing food for off-site catering bookings
* Occasionally attend events to help with setup, service, and takedown (own vehicle preferable)
* Communicate event details clearly to the team to ensure accuracy and timeliness
* Represent the business brand and uphold service standards during external events
5. Cash Handling & Administration
* Process card and cash transactions accurately using the till system
* Complete end-of-day cashing-up procedures and secure the till
* Report discrepancies or maintenance issues to the Café Manager promptly
* Assist with basic admin tasks such as orders, supplier communication, guest enquires, stock takes etc.
6. Stock & Supplies Management
* Monitor stock levels of food, drinks, cleaning products, and disposables
* Alert the Café Manager when supplies are running low & use ordering systems to reorder being mindful of cost effective solutions and suppliers.
* Receive deliveries, check for accuracy and quality, and store items appropriately
* Help reduce waste by promoting efficient stock rotation and portion control
Job Expectations:
We're looking for someone who can be a trusted part of our team and embody our values of consistency, warmth, and professionalism.
You are expected to:
* Be flexible with working hours, including mornings, weekends, and very occasional evenings as part of a weekly rota
* Be comfortable taking the lead when the Café Manager is off-site or unavailable
* Have a strong attention to detail, especially around food safety, hygiene, and presentation
* Demonstrate excellent communication skills, both with customers and colleagues
* Work well under pressure during busy service periods without compromising on quality or service
* Take initiative, solve problems calmly, and keep things running smoothly in the moment
* Be willing and able to attend off-site events, including carrying or transporting food and equipment — a driving licence and access to a vehicle is highly preferable for this reason
* Represent the café's values, standards, and friendly personality at all times
Requirements:
To succeed in this role, you should ideally have:
* Previous experience in a supervisory or team leader role in a café, bistro, restaurant, or catering business
* A natural sense of hospitality and a passion for delivering excellent customer service
* Experience as a barista or in food and drink preparation (& willingness to be trained)
* A working knowledge of food hygiene, allergen awareness, and health & safety regulations (Level 2 or 3 certification is a plus)
* The ability to multi-task, stay calm under pressure, and remain organised in a fast-paced setting
* A positive, can-do attitude, with a flexible and cooperative mindset
* Full UK driving licence and access to a car (strongly preferred, especially for off-site catering work)
* The right to work in the UK
Benefits:
* Competitive salary
* Free meals or staff discount during shifts
* A warm, family-run work environment
* Opportunities to get involved in varied events and outside catering
* Training and room for professional growth
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £19,500.00-£22,500.00 per year
Experience:
* Hospitality: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person