Assistant Manager - Cafe/Bar

Our client, an well known Cafe/Bar & private function establishment based in Belfast city centre is seeking to recruit an asssitant manager to join the management team

This role supports the daily café-bar operations, leading the team to deliver excellent guest experiences, efficient service, and strong financial results. This role acts as second-in-command to the Café Bar Manager, stepping up in their absence.

Key Responsibilities

• Operations management: Oversee opening/closing, floor service, barista/bar operations, stock control, cash handling, and till reconciliation. Maintain cleanliness, ambience, and service flow throughout shifts.
• Team leadership: Train, schedule, brief, and coach staff. Lead by example on the floor, manage breaks, and conduct performance feedback. Support hiring and onboarding.
• Customer experience: Ensure warm, efficient service; handle complaints and special requests professionally; uphold service standards and brand tone.
• Product quality: Monitor drink and food preparation standards, presentation, and portion control; conduct tastings and recipe adherence; manage allergens and labeling compliance.
• Compliance and safety: Enforce health and safety, food hygiene, licensing laws, and age verification. Keep accurate records (HACCP, temperature logs, cleaning schedules, incident reports).
• Inventory and suppliers: Manage ordering, deliveries, stock rotation, waste control, and variance checks; liaise with suppliers and service contractors.
• Sales and profitability: Support menu engineering, promotions, upselling, and events; track KPIs (ATV, covers, labour %, waste, mystery guest scores) and suggest improvements.
• Administration: Prepare rotas within labour budgets; manage daily reports, bookings, and events coordination; support payroll inputs and training records.
• Maintenance: Report and follow up on equipment issues; ensure barista equipment calibration and basic troubleshooting.
• Community and brand: Maintain café appearance and merchandising; support social media content and local partnerships where relevant.

Requirements

• Experience: 1–2 years in a supervisory role in a café/bar/restaurant; barista and basic bar skills essential.
• Skills: Strong people leadership, guest service, cash management, multitasking, and problem-solving. Confident with POS systems and basic Excel/Sheets.
• Knowledge: Food safety Level 2+ (or willingness to obtain), allergen management, licensing/Challenge 25 (or local equivalent).
• Attributes: Calm under pressure, hands-on, organised, commercially aware, and a team-first mindset. Flexible for early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred

• Food Safety Level 3
• Experience with specialty coffee, latte art, cocktails, and small events.
• First aid at work; familiarity with HACCP and digital checklists.

KPIs

• Guest satisfaction and reviews
• Average transaction value and sales growth
• Labour cost percentage and scheduling accuracy
• Waste and stock variance
• Compliance audit scores and training completion

Hours of work - 5 out of 7 days - 10.00am - 8.00pm

Salary - £27k -£28k + Additional benefits

If you feel you would be a suitable candidate for this management position please forward CV in strictest confidence via link below