Job Description

The Makers' Kirk

- Greenock -

Work | Art | Soup

The Makers' Kirk is a co-working & creative event space newly established in a renovated church in the heart of Greenock.

We are looking for a Cafe Assistant to provide attentive and quality serve to tenants and visitors to the Kirk creating a welcoming environment for all.

and Person Specification

Cafe Assistant

Working hours: Full Time: 37 - 40 hours - to be confirmed.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly within the opening hours of the operation which may include one day in the weekend.

Remuneration: Living Wage - 12.60

Role purpose

Support The Kirk's cafe and co-working community by preparing simple, wholesome food, delivering friendly counter/table service, and producing consistently excellent coffee, tea, and hot drinks. Uphold high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and sustainability, reflecting our focus on Scottish and locally sourced produce.
Key responsibilities Food prep

Batch-prep core items: soups, vegan bases, coleslaw, salad components, baked potatoes, toastie/roll fillings, quiche mix/finishing, homemade beans, yoghurt/granola pots, and kids platters. Portion, label, and rotate mise en place using FIFO; maintain accurate date/temperature records. Slice, reheat, and plate bakes/scones/cakes; prepare simple garnishes and condiments. Operate small catering equipment safely: high-speed/convection ovens, Instant Pot/pressure cooker, hand blender, food processor, veg-prep equipment, and commercial dishwasher.
Coffee/tea and beverage service

Dial-in and run espresso service (grinder calibration, shot timing, milk texturing, latte art) for espresso, flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and decaf. Brew filter batch coffee and cafetieres; prepare a broad tea range (loose-leaf and classic styles), hot chocolate, and kid-friendly soft drinks/cordials. Maintain barista station: clean group heads, purge/bleed steam wands, backflush, descale as scheduled; keep rinser/scales/knock box hygienic and stocked. Manage drink presentation and pace to standard ticket times during rush periods.
Front-of-house service

Set up, serve, and close down the cafe floor and co-working refreshment points; run food, clear tables, reset, and handle basic table touches. Use POS to take orders, process payments, and manage modifiers/allergens accurately. Support meeting room and event refreshment service (coffee/tea urns, jugs, platters) and light catering assembly.
Hygiene, safety, and compliance

Follow daily/weekly cleaning schedules; complete checklists for kitchen, coffee bar, and dish area. Record cooking/cooling/reheat temps and maintain allergen segregation to UK Food Information Regulations. Practice safe manual handling, knife safety, and chemical handling (COSHH); report hazards promptly.
Sustainability and local focus

Minimise waste via accurate prep, portion control, creative use of surplus, and correct storage. Sort recycling/compost; reduce single-use where feasible; support seasonal and Scottish/local product use in daily service.
Stock and housekeeping

Receive deliveries; check quality, rotate stock, and update par levels. Flag low stock and equipment issues; help maintain smallwares and crockery displays.
What success looks like

Consistent drink quality and timing; attractive plating that reflects our homely, Scottish-inspired style. Clean, orderly stations; complete logs and checklists with zero critical non-conformances. Warm, efficient service that keeps queues moving and guests returning. Low wastage and accurate par prep across busy and quiet days.
Essential requirements

Experience in a cafe, coffee bar, or casual dining role covering at least two of: food prep, barista, service. Basic knife skills and comfort using ovens, small appliances, and dishwashers. Food safety awareness (ability to pass Level 2 Food Hygiene within 30 days if not already held). Confident customer service, clear communication, and accurate allergen handling. Reliable, punctual, and calm under pressure; able to stand for long shifts and lift up to 15 kg.
Desirable

Barista training/experience (dial-in, milk texturing, latte art). Allergen training and familiarity with UK 14 allergens. Event/meeting refreshment or co-working hospitality experience. Interest in local, seasonal Scottish food and sustainability.
Schedule and availability

Rotating shifts including early opens, mid shifts, closes, at least one weekend day, and occasional evenings for events. We plan rotas 2-3 weeks in advance and aim to cluster hours to suit availability where possible.
Compensation and benefits

Hourly pay: 12.60, plus holiday pay. Staff coffee/meal during shifts; paid training (Food Hygiene L2, barista skills). Progression opportunities as we grow (Senior Barista/Shift Lead).
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 12.60 per hour

Work Location: In person