Cafe Manager
| Company: | Houston & Hawkes |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £40,000 to £40,000 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Milton Keynes, MK9 1FD |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 18 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 18 Oct 2026 |
Summary
CAFE MANAGER
Milton Keynes | £40,000 per annum | Monday to Friday
Great food. Brilliant people. Exceptional service.
Houston & Hawkes is looking for an experienced Cafe Manager to join our team at an exciting new client location in Milton Keynes.
We're looking for someone with personality, energy and a real eye for detail - a talented manager who takes genuine pride in great food, exceptional service and creating an environment where both customers and the team feel valued. You'll lead the day-to-day catering operation, develop your team, build a trusted relationship with our client and ensure consistently high standards across food, service, presentation and commercial performance.
THE ROLE
- Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day catering and retail operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food, service and presentation.
- Lead, motivate and develop the team, creating a positive, engaged and professional working environment.
- Deliver an excellent customer experience through warm, efficient and attentive service.
- Bring flair and innovation to menus, food presentation and the overall offer.
- Manage budgets, cost controls, stock, ordering and operational performance.
- Build strong relationships with the client, customers and the wider Houston & Hawkes team.
- Plan and organise the operation effectively, ensuring service runs smoothly and consistently.
- Complete company documentation, reporting and bookwork accurately and on time.
- Maintain the highest standards of food safety, allergen awareness, health & safety and hygiene.
- Continuously look for opportunities to improve quality, service and commercial performance.
ABOUT YOU
- An experienced Cafe Manager or catering manager with a strong background in quality food-led operations.
- City & Guilds, NVQ or relevant catering or food production training, together with a food hygiene qualification or equivalent practical knowledge.
- Strong craft skills with an eye for quality, presentation, flair and innovation.
- Good financial and commercial awareness, including cost control, stock control and budget management.
- A confident, organised and approachable people leader with excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for food and service.
WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?
Alongside the opportunity to join an exciting new client location, you'll be joining a business that genuinely invests in its people, celebrates success and creates opportunities to develop.
- Your birthday off every year
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- CODE Hospitality membership, giving you access to one of the UK's leading hospitality communities
- Foodie Socials - bringing our teams together to share new concepts, seasonal food and drink ideas and the creativity happening across Houston & Hawkes
- Ongoing learning, development and genuine opportunities for career progression
- Our Summer Awards Party - celebrating the people, achievements and successes across Houston & Hawkes
- An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London's outstanding venues - bringing the whole business together to celebrate the year in true Houston & Hawkes style
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- 37.5 hours per week
ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES
Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK's most prestigious client sites.
We're a Certified B Corp, recipient of the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer's Best Places to Work in Hospitality.
If you're an experienced Cafe Manager who brings personality, energy and a genuine passion for great food and service, we would love to hear from you.