Introduction

Café Assistant Manager

Belle Époque Patisserie | London

Location: Upper Street / Newington Green
Reports to: General Manager
Hours: To be agreed; includes weekends and bank holidays

About Belle Époque

Belle Époque is an artisan French patisserie with two neighbourhood cafés in London. We are looking for a hands-on Assistant Manager to help lead our café team, deliver excellent customer service and maintain high standards across our food, drinks and shop presentation.

The Role

You will support the General Manager in the daily running of the café, taking responsibility for shifts and leading the team in their absence. Working alongside the team on the shop floor, you will help create a welcoming atmosphere for customers and keep service running smoothly.

Tasks

Key Responsibilities

Café Operations

• Supervise daily service, organising tasks and breaks to ensure appropriate cover.
• Complete opening and closing procedures, ensuring the café is ready for service and securely closed.
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness, product display and shop presentation.
• Communicate equipment faults, maintenance needs and operational issues promptly.
• Support the other café when required.

Customer Service and Sales

• Provide friendly, knowledgeable and attentive service.
• Develop a strong understanding of our patisserie, breads, drinks and celebration cake range.
• Help customers with product choices, dietary enquiries and cake orders, checking approved allergen information whenever needed.
• Handle customer feedback and complaints professionally, escalating more complex matters to the General Manager.
• Encourage sales through thoughtful recommendations and attractive displays.

Team Supervision and Training

• Lead by example and promote a positive, professional working environment.
• Support the induction and training of new team members.
• Coach staff on customer service, product knowledge, coffee preparation and café procedures.
• Help with rotas, holiday cover and attendance records.
• Give constructive feedback and raise performance concerns with the General Manager.

Stock and Product Quality

• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering café supplies and packaging.
• Check deliveries for accuracy, quality and condition.
• Follow stock rotation and storage procedures, monitoring shelf life and recording waste.
• Support monthly stocktakes and identify opportunities to reduce waste.
• Liaise with the production kitchen about availability, orders and product feedback.

Cash Handling and Administration

• Operate the till accurately and oversee cash handling during shifts.
• Complete cash reconciliation and end-of-day reports, investigating and reporting discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate records of refunds, discounts and wastage.
• Support routine café administration and follow company procedures.

Food Safety and Hygiene

• Ensure the team follows food safety, allergen, cleaning and health and safety procedures.
• Complete and check temperature records, cleaning schedules and other required checks.
• Address concerns promptly and report incidents to the General Manager.

Profile

About You

• Experience in a café, bakery, patisserie or hospitality setting, ideally in a supervisory role.
• Confident leading a team while remaining actively involved in service.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Organised, reliable and able to prioritise during busy periods.
• Comfortable with tills, cash handling and basic administration.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and allergen awareness.
• An interest in quality food and coffee; barista experience is desirable.
• Flexibility to work across both cafés when required.