Job Description

About the Docky Box Cafe

The Docky Box Cafe at the Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey is thriving, with a growing customer base and many regular visitors enjoying our freshly made lunches and delicious cakes. A critical part of the museum infrastructure, the cafe generates vital income to allow the museum to care for its important collection. The Docky Box is named for Fenland slang for a lunch box, as farm labourers would have their pay docked for taking a lunch break!

The Farmland Museum is an independent charity which manages Denny Abbey on behalf of English Heritage. Denny Abbey is a 12th century abbey, which was lived in by three religious orders before finishing its life as a farmhouse. The Farmland Museum was originally started in Haddenham by the Delanoy family and tells the story of farming and life in the Fens. It has since moved to its current home on the site of Denny Abbey seamlessly continuing the Abbey's story.

About the Role

We are seeking someone to manage the Docky Box Cafe in 2026. Bringing your catering experience to the role, you will help us take the cafe from strength to strength. You will be a core member of our small museum team, delivering exceptional service to our visitors.

The Docky Box Cafe is open Thursday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays each week between March and November. We are recruiting one or two other cafe team members and so the hours can be worked flexibly with others. The right person for the job is important to us, so we are open to discussing working hours with any interested applicants. We'd also be happy to meet and show potential applicants around if you'd like to know more before applying.

Duties

Manage day-to-day operations of the cafe. Supervise and train cafe staff and volunteers. Oversee all aspects of food safety, following HACCP requirements and ensuring others do likewise. Monitor stock levels and coordinate with suppliers to ensure the cafe is adequately stocked each week. Serve customers at the counter, with a view to maximizing income. Be able to prepare fresh food to our established standard. This currently includes sandwiches, paninis, sausage rolls and scones. Prepare a variety of barista-style hot drinks. Suggest and implement new menu items and special offers to increase revenue while meeting customer preferences. Ensure the cafe is welcoming to all by catering to a range of dietary restrictions. Manage the catering offer for wider museum events, such as room hire or group bookings. Use a touch screen till to take orders, process card and cash payments, and cash up at the end of each shift. Manage cafe budgets and ensure spend is on target. Create a rota for cafe staff to ensure there is adequate coverage including over busy lunch times and events within the allocated budget. Display and restock items including baked goods, snacks and cold drinks. Ensure cafe is kept clean and tidy at all times, implementing a regular cleaning schedule. Follow a strict close-down procedure to leave the cafe clean, tidy and secure. Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service.

Essential knowledge and experience

A high standard of Customer Service experience. Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage and motivate a team. Experience of working in a cafe environment, and of providing quick service with a high level of presentation. Experience of preparing hot and cold food and drinks for sale to the public. Possession of a Food Hygiene certificate (ideally Level 3). Training must be undertaken if not recently completed. Knowledge of allergen procedures in food handling and preparation. Willingness to undertake First Aid and Health & Safety Training. Ability to work alone and use initiative. Ability to use a touch screen till, cash up and process card payments (training on this system given).

Abilities and aptitudes

Proven leadership skills. Confident, with excellent communication skills. Able to motivate others and work inclusively. Forward thinking. Organisational skills and able to work independently and as part of a team. A hands-on and can-do approach to work. Adaptable and able to respond to challenges and external factors that influence the workload.

Desirable knowledge and experience

Experience of volunteer management. Experience of opening and closing up or of being a key holder.

Own transport essential to access the site.

For more information, to discuss the post in more detail, or to arrange an informal chat and a look around the cafe, contact Beth Keeley on 01223 860988 or by email at beth.keeley@farmlandmuseum.org.uk

Applications should take the form of a letter or email explaining why you would be a good fit for the role and how you meet the person specification along with a CV.

Applications can be sent by email to:

Beth Keeley, Museum Manager beth.keeley@farmlandmuseum.org.uk

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 9 months

Pay: 16,200.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 30 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount Free parking
Work Location: In person