Cafe jobs in Crawley

Heavenly Desserts Crawley

We are looking for an ambitious, passionate, and experienced Restaurant Manager to lead the opening team of our brand-new Heavenly Desserts restaurant in Crawley.

This is an exciting opportunity to launch a new restaurant from day one, building a high-performing team, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and establishing the outstanding standards that Heavenly Desserts is renowned for. As Restaurant Manager, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day operation, commercial performance, and long-term success of the restaurant while creating a positive culture where both customers and team members thrive.

About Us

Heavenly Desserts is the UK's leading premium dessert restaurant, renowned for delivering unforgettable dining experiences through handcrafted luxury desserts, speciality coffees, signature drinks, and exceptional customer service. Our guests visit us for more than just desserts—they come for an experience, and our team is at the heart of making every visit memorable.

The Role

As Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading all aspects of the restaurant's operation. You will inspire, coach, and develop your team while ensuring exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and strong financial performance.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll lead from the front, creating a positive working environment while ensuring the restaurant consistently delivers the highest standards in service, quality, cleanliness, and profitability.

Working closely with the franchise owners and senior management, you will play a key role in growing the business, developing your team, and making Heavenly Desserts Crawley the destination of choice within the local community.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of the restaurant.
• Recruit, lead, motivate, coach, and develop a high-performing team.
• Create a positive, engaging, and customer-focused culture throughout the restaurant.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences and ensure customer satisfaction remains the highest priority.
• Handle customer feedback and complaints professionally, ensuring prompt and effective resolution.
• Drive sales, profitability, and operational performance while meeting business targets and KPIs.
• Monitor labour costs, wage budgets, food costs, stock control, and overall financial performance.
• Prepare staff rotas that balance excellent customer service with effective labour management.
• Ensure all food, drinks, and desserts are prepared and presented to Heavenly Desserts' premium brand standards.
• Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness, food hygiene, health and safety, and compliance with company procedures and legal requirements.
• Manage stock ordering, stock control, deliveries, and minimise waste.
• Lead team training, performance reviews, and ongoing development to build future leaders.
• Conduct regular team meetings and provide coaching, support, and performance feedback.
• Ensure all opening and closing procedures, cash handling, banking, and daily reporting are completed accurately.
• Oversee reservations, takeaway operations, and third-party delivery platforms to maximise sales opportunities.
• Work with the marketing team and franchise owners to support local marketing initiatives, events, promotions, and social media content.
• Analyse business performance and identify opportunities to improve sales, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, food safety regulations, licensing requirements, and employment legislation.
• Lead by example through professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
• Build strong relationships with customers and become an ambassador for the Heavenly Desserts brand within the local community.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

• An experienced hospitality manager with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• A confident and inspiring leader who enjoys developing and motivating teams.
• Commercially aware with the ability to drive sales, profitability, and business performance.
• Passionate about building a successful team and creating a positive workplace culture.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and problem-solving skills.
• Calm under pressure and confident making decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer-focused with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional, reliable, and committed to maintaining the highest operational standards.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take ownership of the business.
• Excited to lead the opening of a brand-new premium hospitality venue.

Applicants must be available to work flexible shifts between 10:00am and 12:00am, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, and have reliable transport to and from Crawley Leisure Park.

Previous management experience within a restaurant, café, hospitality, or branded food and beverage environment is essential. Experience opening a new venue, managing financial performance, leading large teams, and delivering strong commercial results would be highly advantageous.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Performance-related bonus opportunities.
• 20 days' annual leave, plus an additional day's holiday for each completed year of service.
• 25% employee discount.
• Full training and ongoing leadership development.
• Excellent career progression opportunities within a growing business.
• Flexible working patterns.
• The opportunity to lead the opening of a brand-new Heavenly Desserts restaurant and play a key role in its long-term success.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a management role—it's an opportunity to build something special from the very beginning.

As our Restaurant Manager, you'll have the autonomy to shape the culture, develop an exceptional team, and establish Heavenly Desserts Crawley as one of the area's leading hospitality destinations. You'll be supported by an ambitious business with exciting growth plans and genuine opportunities for career progression.

If you're passionate about hospitality, love leading people, and want the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV.

Heavenly Desserts is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcomed, respected, and given the opportunity to succeed.

Pay: £25,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking

Work Location: In person