Assistant Shop and Café Manager

Position Type: Full-Time / Part-Time (c. 30 hours per week)

Location: Village Greens Community Co-op, Prestwich

Village Greens is a community-owned organic supermarket and café in the heart of Prestwich. We are open 7 days per week. Our mission is to be a community hub for happy, healthy, and sustainable living. As a community-owned co-operative, we provide quality products and services that are healthy for mind, body, and pocket, while ensuring our profits are reinvested right back into the local community.

Role Purpose

As Assistant Shop and Café Manager, you will work hand-in-hand with the Shop and Café Manager to oversee daily operations, support our team, and champion our ethical mission. You will ensure commercial excellence on the shop floor, step up to lead operations in the Manager's absence, and foster a welcoming environment for customers, staff, and volunteers alike.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Support and Floor Management
2. Daily Excellence : Supervise daily floor operations, keeping the shop and café clean, fully stocked, and visually engaging.
3. Process Execution : Maintain core retail and café processes to keep workflows efficient, fast, and organized.
4. Stock Control : Manage daily stock rotation, minimise food waste, and coordinate with suppliers for reliable stock availability.
5. Manager Deputisation : Assume full operational responsibility for the store and café during the Manager's absence.
6. Compliance and Safety
7. Standards Maintenance : Enforce strict adherence to ethical, legal, and regulatory standards on every shift.
8. Regulatory Compliance : Maintain paperwork and daily checks for Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, Weights and Measures, and Soil Association certifications.
9. Safe Environment : Ensure a safe, clean, and hygienic environment for all staff, volunteers, and visitors.
10. Team Leadership and Coaching
11. Rota and Support : Assist with staff and volunteer rotas, ensuring adequate coverage across both the shop and café.
12. Volunteer Engagement : Support, motivate, and guide a diverse team of paid staff and dedicated community volunteers.
13. Training Delivery : Assist in delivering practical training programmes to build team confidence and operational efficiency.
14. Positive Culture : Cultivate a respectful, high-morale workplace focused on outstanding teamwork and inclusive values.
15. Customer and Community Engagement
16. Service Standards : Lead by example on the shop floor, providing exceptional service that welcomes and supports our community.
17. Community Connection : Help coordinate in-store community activities and gather customer feedback to improve our product range.

Person Specification: What You Bring

• Team Supervision : Proven experience as an Assistant Manager or supervisor in a retail or hospitality environment.
• Daily Operations : Hands-on experience with EPOS systems, cash handling, stock rotation, and waste management.
• Inclusive Leadership : Ability to motivate, guide, and support paid staff and community volunteers of all backgrounds and ages.
• Core Compliance : Good understanding of food safety, health and safety, and workspace standards. Knowledge of basic UK employment practices (including the Equality Act 2010 and Employment Rights Act 2026).
• Communication : Clear, friendly, and accessible communication style for interacting with the Board, customers, volunteers, and local suppliers.
• Co-op values : An understanding of, or passion for, cooperative values and community-led businesses.
• Digital and Social Media : Experience updating social media channels or assisting with local shop marketing.
• Barista and Café Skills : Competence in operating professional espresso machinery and a willingness to train staff and volunteers.
• Food Safety Certification : Possession of a Level 2 (or higher) Food Safety and Hygiene certificate.

Diversity and Inclusion

Village Greens is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for each employee to feel respected, supported, and able to give their best.

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