Assistant Cafe Manager

Join the team at Monocle Café

Nestled on Chiltern Street in the heart of Marylebone, Monocle Café is an extension of the Monocle brand - a place where thoughtful hospitality, exceptional coffee and considered design come together. A favourite with local residents, creative professionals and visitors from around the world, our café is known for its warm welcome, seasonal menus and calm, beautifully designed surroundings.

We're looking for a assistant café manager to help lead our café team and deliver the exceptional service that our customers have come to expect. This is a hands on leadership role for someone who thrives in a busy hospitality environment, enjoys developing people and takes pride in creating memorable customer experiences.

Working closely with the café manager, you'll help oversee the day to day operation of the café, support and develop the team and ensure every detail - from the quality of the coffee to the atmosphere on the floor - reflects Monocle's commitment to excellence.

About the role

No two days are the same. One moment you'll be welcoming regulars and visitors from across the globe, the next you'll be supporting the team through a busy morning rush, managing stock deliveries or helping introduce a new seasonal menu. You'll lead by example, bringing calm organisation, positivity and attention to detail to everything you do, while helping the team deliver consistently high standards of hospitality.

You'll be responsible for: Hospitality & operations

• Supporting the smooth day to day running of the café.
• Leading busy service periods and ensuring every customer receives outstanding hospitality.
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food, coffee and beverage presentation.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, health and safety, and licensing requirements.
• Championing Monocle's values and creating a welcoming environment for every customer.

Team leadership

• Supporting the recruitment, induction and training of new team members.
• Coaching and developing colleagues to deliver confident, knowledgeable service.
• Assisting with rota planning and supervising the team during shifts.
• Helping to foster a positive, collaborative and supportive team culture.

Commercial & administration

• Assisting with stock management, ordering and supplier relationships.
• Helping to monitor labour costs and day to day operational performance.
• Supporting cash handling and daily cash reconciliation.
• Contributing ideas to improve operational efficiency and the customer experience.

Brand standards

• Ensuring the café is beautifully presented at all times.
• Upholding Monocle's reputation for quality, design and attention to detail.
• Acting as an ambassador for the Monocle brand in every customer interaction.

About you

You'll already have experience supervising or managing within a café, restaurant or premium hospitality environment and enjoy leading from the front. You're equally comfortable supporting your team during a busy service as you are planning ahead behind the scenes.

You'll also bring:

• Previous experience in a supervisory or assistant café manager role within hospitality.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A calm, organised approach and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• A sound understanding of food safety and health and safety requirements.

It would also be great if you have:

• Barista and specialty coffee experience.
• Cocktail or bar experience.
• Experience managing stock, rotas and operational costs.
• An interest in design, culture, travel and the Monocle brand.

Why join Monocle?

Monocle is an independent global media brand spanning magazines, radio, books, retail, events and hospitality. Our café plays an important part in that story - a welcoming neighbourhood destination where our customers can experience the Monocle brand in person.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary.
• Complimentary staff meals while on shift.
• Staff discount across Monocle cafés and shops.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• The potential to build your career within an internationally recognised lifestyle brand.

If you're passionate about hospitality, enjoy leading teams and take pride in delivering exceptional service, we'd love to hear from you.