Café Manager

About Us
As one of the leading museums and visitor attractions in the South West, with 125,000 visitors annually, you will join a dynamic and engaged team of over 120 staff and volunteers. Haynes Motor Museum was established in 1985 by John Haynes OBE and is home to the UK’s largest exhibition of cars and motorbikes dating from 1898 to the present day.

We are an independent UK charity. All proceeds go towards delivering learning activities to inspire current and future generations as well as conserving and preserving our motoring heritage collection. In support of the charity, the Museum also operates a Trading Company, which comprises Haynes Heritage Engineering, Conference and Events, Café 750, and The Museum Shop, which also operates an online shop.

About you
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Café Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our busy Museum café, Café 750. This role is key to delivering exceptional hospitality and customer service, ensuring efficient operations and driving profitability. Ensuring full compliance with health and safety, food hygiene, and allergen regulations.

Reporting to the Commercial Manager, you will manage a small, motivated team and foster a positive and collaborative work environment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about hospitality and great coffee to make a real impact within a supportive and diverse organisation.

We are seeking an individual with management or supervisory experience in a café or hospitality and catering. You may work in an independent café or restaurant, or in a larger organisation overseeing in-house food and beverage operations. We are seeking someone who enjoys the balance of hands-on front-of-house operational delivery and office-based administrative duties.

Responsibilities of the Role

• Oversee daily operations of the café, monitoring inventory levels and place orders as necessary to meet demand
• Actively working on the café floor as part of the staff rota, serving customers
• Lead, train, and motivate a small team to reflect the Museum’s drive for great food
  and exceptional hospitality
• Supervise the café team and coordinate the staff rota to align with the needs of Café visitor numbers
• Develop and implement creative ideas to enhance the customer experience and drive sales
• Handle customer enquiries, feedback, and complaints promptly and professionally
• Manage budgets, monitor costs, and ensure the café operates within financial targets
• Ensure adherence to health & safety and food hygiene and allergen regulations
• Working closely with all Museum departments to seek commercial opportunities that ultimately contribute to the success of the Museum
• Work as part of the management team, reporting to the Commercial Manager

Who are we looking for?

• Experienced manager or assistant manager within hospitality or café setting
• Can-do attitude, with a creative and proactive approach
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• A hands-on approach, with the ability to inspire and work with the team
• Ability to work independently using your own initiative and prioritise effectively
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• An understanding of finance, budgeting and sales analysis
• Good knowledge of health and safety regulations and food hygiene standards (Level 2 or 3 Food Hygiene Certificate preferred)
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in a managerial role within a café or hospitality industry
• Excellent Barista skills
• Demonstrated ability in leadership, team supervision, and staff development
• Ability to build excellent supplier relationships
• In-depth knowledge and experience of food safety practices and regulations
• Good IT skills and comfortable with all Microsoft Office software

Benefits

• 29 days holiday (increasing in line with service)
• An extra day off for your birthday
• Staff discounts in the on-site café and gift shop
• Free on-site parking
• Free entry into the Museum for you and your family
• Ongoing training and development

Hours & Structure

Salary
£27,000 - £29,000

Location
The Museum is based in Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7LH, just minutes off the A303, the main trunk road to the South West.

Contract
Permanent, full-time contract including weekend working pattern on a rota basis

Next Steps

Please submit your application and any enquiries to Natalie Mackay at
natalie.mackay@haynesmuseum.org

Please enclose a CV along with a covering letter (no longer than 2 pages) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability – and your passion – for this role.
Applications and interviews are being shortlisted on a rolling basis, so get in touch ASAP to avoid disappointment.

We will have a two-stage interview process. The second interview stage includes a task element as well as meeting the wider Museum team.

We understand that no one fits the job description perfectly, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don’t tick every box. But we are eager to learn how you your unique talents, strengths and skills can contribute to our goals. Please go ahead and apply, you may be exactly who we are looking for.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage
and civil partnerships.