Café Leader
Department: Learning for Living & Work
Salary: £22,365 annum (£25,920 full year equivalent)
Contract Type: Permanent - Term Time Only
Hours: 37 hours per week
Reference: REC2201 | Closing Date: Tuesday, 29th July 2025
Term Time Contracts
This contract offers full-time hours across 38 weeks of the year, primarily during term time. You will be required to work during the academic terms, with some additional duties outside of term time as needed. This structure provides a balance between a full-time role and flexibility during non-term periods.
The Opportunity
As our Cafe Leader, you will take the lead in running our Crumbs Cafe at the Old Mill Lane campus. You will guide a small team of staff and students, building a friendly and supportive space where great service and hands-on learning come together. You will be involved in preparing and serving freshly made food, planning varied menus, and keeping the cafe clean, safe and up to high standards at all times.
You will bring fresh ideas to promote the cafe, boost income and make the most of its potential. From tracking sales and profit to managing stock and staying within budget, you will help the cafe run smoothly and successfully. Supporting our students during their placements is also a big part of the role, giving them real experience in a working cafe and helping them build confidence and skills.
You will also lead on hospitality events, play a part in shaping the business plan, and make sure records are kept in line with health and safety and food regulations. You may also join in with department activities such as learner interviews, reviews, enrolments and open events, which might include some evening or weekend work.
This is a rewarding role where you can use your catering and leadership skills to make a real difference. You will help create a warm, welcoming cafe that supports learning and adds to the college experience for everyone.
About You
For this role, you will need to be confident, organised and passionate about both food service and supporting others. You should have relevant work experience in a cafe, kitchen or hospitality setting, with strong skills in food preparation, customer service and stock management. You will be comfortable leading a small team and creating a positive, inclusive environment where our students feel supported and valued.
You should be able to demonstrate high levels of customer care and take pride in creating a welcoming and professional service. Experience of monitoring and managing stock levels is essential, along with the ability to plan ahead and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. You will also need to manage budgets and keep accurate records to support the day-to-day operations of the cafe.
You will enjoy taking initiative and coming up with new ideas to improve the customer experience and increase sales. A good eye for presentation and strong attention to detail will help you succeed, as will the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
Just as important as your catering experience is your approach to working with our students. You should be patient, encouraging and willing to support our learners of different abilities as they gain real-world experience in the cafe.
Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity.
Required
* Relevant Level 2 qualification
* Food Hygiene certificate or willingness to achieve
* Level 2 literacy and numeracy or willingness to work towards
* Experience in a relevant catering or hospitality role
* Experience managing and monitoring stock
* Experience delivering excellent customer service
Reasons to join us
* We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
* Holiday purchase scheme to buy additional annual leave days
* Teachers’ Pension Scheme
* We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
* Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress
* Free Barnsley College courses to support your professional and personal development (subject to approval)
* 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
* Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
* Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
* Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
* Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
* Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
* Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
* Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
* On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options
* Free breakfast provided daily for all staff members
* Our shared purpose - We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff
Closing date for applications is Tuesday, 29th July 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.
Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.
Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children