Country Café Co-ordinator

Country Café Coordinator

**Please Note: This Role Does Not Offer Sponsorship**

Job Title: Country Café Co-ordinator Team: Creative Enterprises Reports to: Creative Enterprise Manager Location: This is an on-site role working on a seasonal rota at our beautiful location in the village of Market Overton, Rutland. Job Type: 40 hours per week, worked between 08:30 and 17:00. The working pattern is seasonal, with a Tuesday to Saturday rota during the summer months and Monday to Friday during the winter months, in line with business needs. Salary: £30,497 per annum

Live Out Your Values, Make a Lasting Difference

Role Purpose

To lead and coordinate the day-to-day operation of the Country Café as a front-of-house-led, financially sustainable social enterprise, delivering:

• A high-quality, welcoming customer experience, led from the front
• Break-even minimum financial performance, with growth ambition
• Meaningful work-based learning opportunities for residents and day service user

The Café Co-ordinator will take a hands-on, front-of-house leadership role, setting the tone for service standards, customer engagement, and operational flow, while supporting residents to build confidence and skills in a real working environment.
 

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading the day-to-day running of a busy, welcoming café – balancing great customer experience with strong commercial performance.
• Taking ownership of financial performance, driving sales, managing costs, and ensuring the café operates successfully.
• Being a visible, hands-on presence front of house, delivering excellent customer service and creating a warm, positive atmosphere.
• Supporting residents to build catering and hospitality skills, helping them grow in confidence and independence through meaningful, real-life experience.
• Planning menus, seasonal offers, and events that meet customer needs while supporting business goals.
• Overseeing both front and back of house operations to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently.
• Ensuring high standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and compliance are consistently met.
• Leading and developing a dedicated team, creating a positive culture that supports both commercial success and resident wellbeing.
  Managing stock, suppliers, and administration to keep the café organised and well resourced.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in a café, catering, or hospitality environment (ideally 2+ years).
• Confidence in leading or supervising a team and bringing out the best in others.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy, hands-on environment.
• A good understanding of food hygiene, health & safety, and operational standards.
• The ability to balance commercial awareness with a person-centred approach.
• Good communication and basic IT skills for managing day-to-day operations.
• A positive, reliable attitude and a willingness to take ownership and lead from the front.
• A genuine interest in supporting people with learning disabilities in a respectful and empowering way.

It’s a bonus if you have:

• Experience in a commercially run café or hospitality business.
• Experience supporting individuals with learning disabilities or in a care environment.
• Qualifications in food hygiene or health & social care.
• Experience managing budgets or financial performance.

Working pattern:

40 hours per week, worked between 08:30 and 17:00. The working pattern is seasonal, with a Tuesday to Saturday rota during the summer months and Monday to Friday during the winter months, in line with business needs.

Whether you’re an experienced café leader or ready to step up into a role with greater responsibility, this is an opportunity to combine hospitality, leadership, and meaningful support—making a real difference to both customers and the people you work alongside every day.

Why Join Us?

We offer a supportive working environment with meaningful impact, plus:

• ✅Company Pension Scheme – through our partnership with Standard Life
• ✅ 28 Days Annual Leave – including bank holidays (or equivalent time off)
• ✅ Up to 3 Extra Annual Leave Days – for each completed year of service
• ✅ Benenden Health Scheme – affordable healthcare cover
• ✅ Care Sector Discount Scheme – through Blue Light Card
• ✅ Ongoing Training & Development – to support your career growth
• ✅ Career Progression Opportunities – we promote from within
• ✅ Free On-Site Parking – convenient and cost-effective
• ✅ Café Discount – savings on food and drinks
• ✅ Refer a Friend Bonus – earn £200 when you bring great talent to our team

For the full job description and information how to apply click here

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Safer Recruitment Statement

The Lodge Trust CIO is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All roles are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including the Adults’ Barred List where the post involves regulated activity.

Applicants already registered with the DBS Update Service will be asked to provide their certificate number and consent for an online status check. Employment will also be subject to verification of identity and right to work in the UK, satisfactory references confirming conduct in previous roles (particularly in care or support settings), and confirmation of qualifications or professional registration where required.

The Lodge Trust CIO follows CQC Regulation 19 (Fit and Proper Persons Employed), Schedule 3 evidence requirements, and Skills for Care safer recruitment guidance to ensure all staff are suitable and safe to work in social care.

If you do not hear from us within 7 days of your application then you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.