Job Description

About us

Good Lyfe Cafe is part of Lyfe Health, a wellness hub in Downend, Bristol. We are committed to serving high-quality, nutritious food and great coffee in a welcoming, vibrant space that supports our community's wellbeing.

The role

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Cafe Manager to lead day-to-day operations, coach, and develop the team and drive sales.

In the New Year Good Lyfe will be extending it's opening hours into the evenings, and have recently been granted a premises license for the retail of alcohol, so the successful candidate will need to drive into the evolution of the food/drink concept and help take Good Lyfe to the next level.

Full-time, 39 hrs/week, 5/7 rota (Mon-Sun), includes weekends.

Key responsibilities

Lead daily operations

to deliver smooth, efficient service and a consistently welcoming, spotless cafe. Monitor opening and closing procedures to ensure operational consistency Maintain a welcoming, friendly environment for guests and staff Supervise service flow during peak and off-peak hours Conduct regular walk-throughs to check cleanliness, ambiance and safety standards Communicate daily goals and key updates to the team

Recruit, train, schedule, and motivate staff

; set clear service standards and run effective briefs/debriefs. Lead recruitment process: shortlist, interview, onboard and train new hires Design and deliver structured training plans for new and existing staff Schedule rotas to balance coverage, fairness, budget and business needs Recognise and reward strong performance to maintain morale

Food & hygiene:

oversee preparation and presentation; uphold EHO/HACCP standards, allergens, and H&S compliance. Conduct regular food safety checks and maintain hygiene logs Train team on HACCP protocols and allergen awareness Ensure accurate labelling and storage of food items Audit kitchen and display areas for cleanliness and compliance

Hands-on support:

assist with basic cooking/food prep and barista duties when needed. Ensure that all food and beverage is designed to a certain standard Rota self-hours effectively to ensure efficiency on shift Guide junior staff in techniques and quality expectations

Stock & cost control:

manage ordering, waste reduction, and GP targets; maintain accurate inventory. Place regular stock orders in line with demand forecasting Track usage and waste to identify cost-saving opportunities Monitor Gross Profit performance and adjust menu pricing accordingly Monitor COGS and adjust as required

Customer care:

handle enquiries and complaints professionally; turn feedback into improvements. Act as the first point of contact for escalated customer issues Respond to online and in-person feedback with empathy and solutions Train team on excellent service etiquette and communication skills Keep a record of complaints and follow up with corrective actions

Events & promotions:

Help plan, promote, and run a rolling calendar of cafe events. Coordinate logistics for in-cafe events Ensure events are well-staffed, promoted and executed smoothly Create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guest participation Partner with the Lyfe Health team to align events with clinic services (Pilates, Age-Well, screenings). Integrate cafe offerings into wellness events Collaborate on themed promotions Support clinic-led initiatives with tailored cafe experiences Work with marketing to deliver compelling promotions that drive footfall. Develop limited time offers aligned with seasonal trends Promote loyalty schemes, discounts, social media Measure promotion success through sales and customer feedback

Commercial performance:

monitor sales, labour, and margins; implement actions to meet targets. Review daily/weekly sales reports and analyse patterns Track labour cost percentage and optimise staffing levels Identify underperforming products and propose changes Lead initiatives to boost spend per head or reduce inefficiencies

Concept:

evolve the food/drink concept to continue to drive the business forward Stay up to date with food, health and cafe trends Test and introduce new offerings based on customer feedback Maintain brand consistency while innovating regularly

Menus:

work with our Consultant Nutritionist to keep a healthy, seasonally relevant offer. Collaborate on menu development with nutrition and health goals in mind Ensure recipes align with dietary and allergen requirements Train staff on ingredients and nutritional value for customer conversations Rotate dishes seasonally to keep the menu fresh and cost effective
Skills & experience

Proven experience managing a cafe or similar hospitality environment. Confident people leader with excellent communication and customer service. Basic cooking/food prep skills and a passion for healthy, nutritious food. Strong organiser who thrives in a fast-paced setting; calm under pressure. Commercially aware with experience in budgets, rotas, and cost controls. Sound knowledge of food hygiene, allergens, and H&S (Level 2 Food Hygiene ideal). Comfortable with POS and basic IT (experience with Square or similar is a plus). Barista skills.
What We Offer:

Competitive salary based on experience. A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and growth. Pension scheme. Free hands-on treatment and family discount. Performance bonus?
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about healthy living and have the experience and skills to manage a high-quality cafe, we'd love to hear from you!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food
Work Location: In person