Front Bar Lead Operator (Coffee, Gelato & Cocktails) - Flagship Site Box Leisure "The cutting edge of leisure careers" Location: Hereford Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 up to £3,000 bonus Duration: Permanent Hours: Full Time - includes Day, Evening & Weekend Shifts About us This is a flagship, multi-concept hospitality space combining a coffee lounge, workshop/experience bar, roastery, and production kitchen. At the front of the site sits the Front Bar — a high-energy, customer-facing service point designed to serve: ▪ Takeaway coffee ▪ Iced drinks and seasonal specials ▪ Gelato and retail items ▪ Beers, soft drinks, and light alcohol service during the day and a cocktail-led bar offering Thursday to Saturday evenings. This is one of the most visible and commercially important areas of the business. Role Overview The Front Bar Lead Operator is fully accountable for the day-to-day performance of the Front Bar. This is a hands-on, floor-based leadership role with full responsibility for service execution, team performance, and customer experience within this zone. The role requires consistent control of the bar during busy service periods and the ability to deliver results in real time. The Front Bar operates as a high-volume takeaway coffee, iced drinks, and gelato bar during the day, and transitions into a cocktail-led service Thursday to Saturday evenings. The Front Bar Lead Operator is responsible for ensuring the bar performs consistently across both service styles. Key Responsibilities ▪Service Execution ▪ Take full control of the Front Bar during service ▪ Lead the team from the front during peak periods ▪ Drive pace, urgency, and efficiency ▪ Manage queues and customer flow ▪ Ensure service remains consistent under pressure Daytime Operations ▪ Oversee high-volume takeaway coffee, iced drinks, and gelato service ▪ Maintain strong front-of-house presence and energy ▪ Ensure efficient service delivery during peak daytime periods Evening Operations (Thursday-Saturday) ▪ Transition the Front Bar into a cocktail-led service ▪ Deliver a focused and consistent drinks offering ▪ Maintain control of service pace and customer experience ▪ Ensure compliance with alcohol licensing requirements Team Leadership ▪ Direct and support team members during service ▪ Set expectations for pace, behaviour, and performance ▪ Maintain discipline and control on shift ▪ Ensure the team is prepared and ready for service Operational Ownership ▪ Ensure the Front Bar is fully set up and operationally ready ▪ Maintain cleanliness, organisation, and presentation standards ▪ Monitor stock levels and communicate requirements ▪ Take responsibility for daily setup and close-down Collaboration ▪ Work alongside the Head of Coffee Operations to ensure coffee standards are delivered during service ▪ Align with the Opening General Manager on performance and operational expectations ▪ Communicate effectively with other departments within HQ Performance & KPIs The Front Bar Lead Operator is accountable for performance during live service. Key performance areas include: ▪ Speed and efficiency of service ▪ Queue management and customer flow ▪ Customer experience at the Front Bar ▪ Consistency of drink delivery during peak periods ▪ Team performance and behaviour during service ▪ Effective transition between daytime and evening operations ▪Performance is measured through direct observation, service outcomes, and operational consistency. Role Boundaries ▪ Coffee standards, recipes, and training are set by the Head of Coffee Operations ▪ This role is responsible for delivering those standards consistently during service ▪ This role does not own training programmes or coffee development ▪ This role does not hold full commercial accountability for overall site performance Reporting Structure ▪ Reports to: Opening General Manager ▪ Works alongside: Head of Coffee Operations Person Specification Essential ▪ Experience in high-volume hospitality environments ▪ Proven ability to perform under pressure ▪ Experience leading a section, shift, or small team ▪ Strong front-of-house presence ▪ Solid cocktail/bar experience ▪ Experience across both coffee and bar environments ▪ Level 1 BIIAB Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (or equivalent), or willingness to obtain immediately, or personal licence holder Working Style Requirements ▪ Hands-on and operationally focused ▪ Comfortable working at pace for extended periods ▪ Confident making decisions in real time ▪ Able to maintain control during high-pressure service ▪ Flexible across daytime and evening shifts What This Role Is Not ▪ This is not a Head Barista or coffee specialist role ▪ This is not a bar manager position focused solely on cocktails ▪ This is not a passive or supervisory role ▪ This is not suitable for individuals who prefer low-pressure environments Pay & Performance ▪ Base Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 depending on experience ▪ Performance Bonus: Up to £3,000 per year based on service delivery, team performance, and customer experience ▪ Tips / tronc ▪ Staff perks and development opportunities Summary The Front Bar Lead Operator is responsible for ensuring that the Front Bar performs consistently under pressure. This role is defined by control, pace, and execution. Success is measured by the ability to lead from the front, maintain standards during busy service, and always deliver a strong customer experience For more details please contact Abbie at abbie@boxleisurerecruitment.co.uk