Join The Team

Coffee on the Crescent is an award-winning independent coffee shop with a reputation for quality, service, and community building. We are proud to be more than just a café; we are a place where people gather, feel welcome, and enjoy a consistently high standard of coffee, service, and atmosphere.

Job Description

Independent Coffee Shop General Manager

Coffee on the Crescent

Location: Hyde Park, Leeds

Salary: £35,000 + 10% profit share

Hours: 40 hours per week

Role Summary and Purpose

The General Manager is the key leadership role responsible for the overall success and day-to-day operations of Coffee on the Crescent. This is a hands-on position that requires a commercially aware, highly organised leader with the confidence and proven track record to lead from the front.

The General Manager is responsible for ensuring industry-leading customer service, maximising team performance, and achieving strong financial results. This position comes with ultimate responsibility.

The successful candidate will possess sound judgment and the confidence to take charge, building rapport with the current team whilst commanding their respect and setting clear expectations. They will be proactive in anticipating issues - understanding that prevention is better than the cure - and apply judgment to deal with the inevitable issues that arise in a small business quickly, directly, professionally, and decisively.

Ultimately, this role requires someone who can successfully manage competing demands, bringing both warmth and natural authority to create a well-run, welcoming environment where customers receive outstanding customer service.

The role requires that standards are communicated clearly and staff are held accountable to them.

The candidate will be able to demonstrate succesfully driving innovation in their previous employment.

Key responsibilities

Day to Day Operations

Oversee the daily running of the coffee shop to ensure it operates smoothly, efficiently, professionally and financially sustainably.
Open and close the premises as required.
Ensure the shop is clean, well presented, fully stocked, and ready for service at all times.
Monitor service standards and ensure a consistently high-quality customer experience.
Respond quickly and effectively to daily operational issues.

Team Leadership and Management

Foster a positive, hardworking, and respectful team culture.
Set the direction of the shop and utilise staff expertise to implement it.

Lead, supervise, and support the team on a day-to-day basis.
Set clear expectations for staff performance, conduct, and presentation.
Implement firm, fair, and consistent people management practices to foster accountability and responsibility across all levels.
Address issues relating to performance, time keeping, attitude, or standards promptly and appropriately.
Organise rotas and staffing levels to meet the needs of the business and reflect the seasonal nature of Coffee on the Crescent.
Manage the full recruitment, induction, and retention process for all staff.
Support the induction and training of new staff.

Customer Service

Maintain a warm, welcoming, and professional environment for all customers and staff.
Handle customer queries, concerns, and complaints promptly and effectively.
Lead by example in delivering excellent service.
Build strong relationships with regular customers and actively contribute to the positive reputation of the business.

Stock and Financial Oversight

Monitor stock levels and ensure timely ordering of supplies.
Maintain and strengthen existing relationships with suppliers and create new ones.
Minimise waste and support good stock control practices.
Monitor sales, costs, and overall shop performance in order to make informed data driven decisions.

Compliance and Standards

Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, and all relevant operating standards.
Ensure equipment is maintained, used correctly, and any issues are dealt with appropriately.
Follow company policies, procedures, and licensing requirements where relevant.

Commercial Performance

Ensure the commercial success of the coffee shop through strong operational management.
Monitor service efficiency, staffing costs, waste, and stock usage to drive profitability.
Identify opportunities and effectively implement improvements to customer experience, profitability, and staff training.
Take pride in maintaining a high-quality independent offer that stands out locally.
Effectively use the existing social media and online presence to further improve the business.
Leverage financial reports (P&L and balance sheets) to make informed, strategic decisions that support business growth.

Personality Specifications

Essential Experience

Experience managing in a coffee shop, café, hospitality, or similar customer-facing environment with ultimate responsibility for its financial sustainability.
Knowledge of the key performance indicators coffee shops must hit in order to stay viable.
Proven experience leading a small team and managing day-to-day operations.
Experience dealing with staff performance, conduct, or standards.
Experience organising rotas and staffing cover.
Experience handling customer complaints and resolving issues professionally.
Experience in stock control, ordering, and supplier liaison.
Experience interpreting financial reports in order to make informed strategic decisions.
Experience maintaining standards relating to food hygiene, health and safety, and general presentation.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

Strong leadership skills with the confidence and presence to command respect.
Able to set clear expectations and manage people with accountability and consistency.
Confident in addressing issues quickly, directly, calmly, and professionally.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent judgement and decision-making skills.
Able to work at pace and remain calm under pressure.
Strong customer service and communication skills.
Commercial awareness, with an understanding of how to balance service, quality, and cost control.
Good knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety requirements.
Able to lead from the front and take ownership of the operation.

Personal Qualities

Sharp, practical, and highly attentive.
Firm, fair, and consistent management style.
Credible presence with natural authority.
Reliable, resilient, and hardworking.
High standards with a strong attention to detail.
Proactive and willing to take responsibility.
Approachable and professional.
Committed to creating a well-run, respectful, and accountable team culture.

Desirable

Barista experience and strong product knowledge.
Experience working in an independent coffee shop or small business setting.
Experience supporting local marketing, promotions, or community engagement.
Knowledge of basic business reporting or performance tracking.

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead one of England’s best coffee shops and believe you have the experience, judgement, and presence to manage this role effectively, please send your CV and a supporting statement outlining how you meet the requirements to tim@coffeeonthecrescent.co.uk

Deadline 7th April 2026

We are actively interviewing for this role and reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Full-Time Coffee On The Crescent Barista

£25,000 per year | 36-hour contract
Location: Coffee on the Crescent

Are you a barista with a strong understanding of dialling in espresso, pouring high-quality latte art, and delivering exceptional customer service?

Or perhaps you’re an experienced hospitality professional looking to transition into the specialty coffee industry?

Maybe you’re simply a high-performing individual eager to join a purpose-driven workplace and start a career in hospitality.

If you’re passionate about coffee, coffee shops, and delivering genuine, meaningful customer experiences — we’d love to meet you.

We’re looking for someone who is ready to commit to grow with us, and contribute their individual qualities to help us get better.

Our Culture

We’re as passionate about people as we are about coffee.

At Coffee on the Crescent, we:

Embody our core values: quality, inspiration, sustainability and community.
Maintain a positive attitude and a growth mindset
Pay attention to the little details that make a big difference.
Thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment
Are self-motivated, driven, and disciplined
Seek out challenges and rise to meet them
Work as part of a small, skilled, well-organised team
Put the team before ourselves
Take pride in all aspects of the job — whether it’s cleaning toilets, preparing sandwiches, doing stock takes, or solving problems
Own mistakes and learn from them
Bring our unique talents and passions into our work
Are dependable and resilient — we can stay on our feet all day and still serve with a smile

Bonus Skills (Nice to Have)

These aren’t required, but they’re a plus:

A valid driver’s licence
Photography and/or social media skills
Copywriting and proofreading
Experience with event planning
Food preparation or menu development experience

Perks & Benefits

Be a key part of the Coffee on the Crescent community
£25,000 annual salary
£15 monthly performance bonus for exemplary attendance, punctuality and performance.
Subscription to Headspace for your mental well-being
Access to our team healthcare plan
And of course... all the great coffee you could want

Aspects you should be aware of before applying.

Hours are conditional on your availability to work at the weekend.

Holidays must be taken outside of Leeds University term times.

How to Apply

Send your CV and a covering letter to Tim at:
📧 tim@coffeeonthecrescent.co.uk

Application Deadline: 7th April 2026