BRITAIN YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
Swarthmoor Hall, Quiet Company, Cumbria
Full-time
QUIET COMPANY JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Commercial Supervisor
REPORTING TO:
General Manager, Swarthmoor Hall
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Supervision of staff and volunteers as agreed
DEPARTMENT:
Swarthmoor Hall, Quiet Company, Cumbria
DATE:
November 2025
Job Purpose
• To ensure the cafe and shop operations at Swarthmoor Hall run effectively and
efficiently, offer a warm welcome & great experience to all and grow sustainably
• To support the sustainable development of Swarthmoor Hall as the spiritual
‘Cradle of Quakerism’ and as a visitor attraction with accommodation
• To work closely year-round with a small team, in particular the General and
Assistant Managers, providing operational support, site supervision and out of
hours cover as required.
Key Accountabilities:
• Safe and effective operation of the café and wider guest food offer, including
assisting with stock control and ordering and day to day running of the cafe
• Safe and effective operation of the shop and wider retail offer, including
assisting with stock control and ordering and day to day running of the shop
• Day to day organisation and supervision of staff & volunteers working in the café
& shop
• Assist with recruiting and looking after café & shop volunteers
• Meeting all relevant day-to-day hygiene and health and safety standards
• Operating & updating the EPOS till system used for the commercial operations
• Assist with daily and weekly cash and till related activities, including cashing up
and reporting
• Welcoming all guests & visitors and making sure we are meeting their needs
• Assist with the development and running of a year-round events programme
• Assist with generating ways of attracting new visitors and events and selling the
services offered by Swarthmoor Hall
• As part of a small team, you will be responsible on designated days for properly
completing opening and closing procedures for all areas incl. the historic house
• Any other duties as reasonably required by the post or manager
SH – QC Commercial Supervisor JD Nov 25 FINAL
2. Intellectual Demands
This is an exciting, front facing role acting as an ambassador for Swarthmoor Hall and
as such includes:
• The need to balance operational delivery with planning time
• A good level of attention to detail
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a small team
• The ability to plan and prioritise, work quickly and accurately under pressure and
be able to deal with the unexpected
3. Judgements
In this role, you will:
• Make good operational decisions considering the important wider spiritual
dimension of the Hall
• Follow the organisation’s systems, policies and processes
• Be effective in managing time and priorities for the work
• Make effective use of financial and other resources
4. Use of Resources
In this role, you will use and be confident with, amongst others:
• Catering equipment, including coffee machines
• EPoS till systems and associated technology
• Office equipment such as computers, printers and Microsoft Teams
• Money – managing it on site and when ordering stock and other items
• Operation of security systems
Training and support will be provided.
5. Communications
Internal: 30% (approx.)
Primarily with colleagues and volunteers at Swarthmoor Hall, with some contact with
Quiet Company and Quaker teams at Friends House, London
External: 70% (approx.)
This is a front facing role involving contact with a range of visitors and other parties
including:
• Day visitors and overnight guests to Swarthmoor Hall
• Visiting Friends and local meetings
• Local suppliers, activity providers and contractors
• General enquiries in person or via phone / email
6. Physical Demands & Co-ordination
As a front (visitor) facing role there will be a mix of work including periods of standing on
your feet serving, moving of equipment / furniture, manual handling of stock and
working with electrical equipment; as well as more office-based time.
SH – QC Commercial Supervisor JD Nov 25 FINAL
The role sometimes involves the duties of site supervisor, fire warden and appointed
person for first aid.
7. Working Conditions and Emotional Demands
This role is based at Swarthmoor Hall, a small site on the edge of Ulverston in south
Cumbria. We have accommodation that is already open all year round; and are looking
to increase the opening days for our Hall and Gardens and café to attract more visitors
to this wonderful place in 2026 and beyond.
• This is a practical and front-facing role, so all duties are expected to be
performed on site
• This role is focussed on day-to-day operations in the café and shop, with some
administrative tasks based in the office
• The hours for this role will be split over a general working pattern in 2026 of
between 09.00 and 17.00 on Monday to Saturday.
• The work will involve working evenings, weekends and bank holidays to support
the programme of events and activities that we offer
• The nature of the hospitality operation may mean working occasional shift
patterns between 07.00 and 23.00
• The role may require being part of the out of hours emergency phone cover and
response
• The post holder may deputise for the Managers on occasion
Other Responsibilities
• Undertake duties and responsibilities commensurate with the post
• Responsible for ensuring that QIB’s Safeguarding Policy is adhered to in all aspects
of the role
• Responsible for ensuring that QIB’s Equal Opportunities Policy is adhered to in all
aspects of the role
• Responsible for ensuring that QIB’s Health & Safety Policy is always adhered to
• Responsible for ensuring that QIB’s commitment to sustainability is adhered to in
all aspects of the role
• Responsible for ensuring that QIB’s Staff handbook is always adhered to
• A commitment to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace
community
Safeguarding requirements
• Completion of mandatory training modules on safeguarding adults and children
The postholder is expected to demonstrate in their work both the Quaker Values and
the Quiet Company Values and Commitments (that talk about how we work).
SH – QC Commercial Supervisor JD Nov 25 FINAL
QUIET COMPANY PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE:
Commercial Supervisor
DEPARTMENT:
Swarthmoor Hall, Quiet Company, Cumbria
DATE:
July 2025
ESSENTIAL Knowledge, skills and experience
• Experience of working in and supervising a small café or shop or similar activity
and all that is involved in doing so
• You will be a confident, friendly and strong team player, a people person and
example to those working with you
• You will be conscientious and motivated with a hands-on approach and ‘can do’
attitude to your work
• Good knowledge of delivering great customer service and a brilliant all round
guest experience
• Good communication (written and verbal) and administration skills to engage
with a wide range of customers and backgrounds
• Good IT skills suitable for an administration and sales role
•
You will have sympathy with Quaker and Quiet Company values
DESIRABLE knowledge, skills and experience
• Hold a current Level 3 food hygiene certificate
• Hold other hospitality related qualifications
• Experience of using EPoS till systems
• Housekeeping and hospitality experience
• Experience of health and safety and risk management legislation
• A good understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• You will be motivated by targets and the desire to sustainably grow a business
• Used to working effectively as part of a wider organisation, often with limited
resources
• Management roles in a café or shop
You do not have to be a practising Quaker to be part of the team at Swarthmoor Hall.
You will be expected to respect and learn about the Quaker faith.
SH – QC Commercial Supervisor JD Nov 25 FINAL