Cafe jobs in Rutherglen South

CAFÉ MANAGER – SHIELINGS CAFÉ

National Museum of Rural Life | East Kilbride, G76 9HR

CYGNET | Full-Time Managerial Position (References required)

CYGNET is seeking an experienced, confident and highly motivated Café Manager to lead our team at Shielings Café, located within the prestigious National Museum of Rural Life, part of National Museums Scotland.

This is a well-established, highly regarded visitor attraction, and we are looking for an individual who takes pride in delivering exceptional hospitality, maintaining high operational standards and ensuring a 5-star visitor experience.

We require a hands-on manager who is equally confident in a busy kitchen, managing front-of-house operations and motivating a team to deliver consistently high standards of cleanliness, service and day to day tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Full Café Management: Take responsibility for the smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of the entire café.
• Kitchen Management: Confidently manage and operate a busy café kitchen, overseeing food preparation, cooking, presentation and service.
• Fresh Food Preparation: Prepare and oversee a varied café menu, including freshly made sandwich fillings, salads, homemade soups, hot dishes and daily specials.
• Team Leadership: Lead, train, organise and motivate staff, ensuring everyone works efficiently and maintains high standards.
• Front-of-House Operations: Confidently manage counter service, customer interactions, coffee service and the overall visitor experience.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Maintain excellent food hygiene standards, allergen procedures, HACCP/CookSafe compliance and kitchen cleanliness.
• Stock & Cost Control: Manage ordering, stock rotation, food waste, portion control and operational efficiency.
• Staff Management: Delegate responsibilities and ensure the café is appropriately staffed throughout the working day.
• Quality & Presentation: Ensure food quality, café cleanliness, cafe organisation, merchandising and presentation consistently meet CYGNET's standards.

Essential Experience & Requirements

The successful candidate must have previous management or supervisory experience within a busy café, kitchen or hospitality environment. Please DO NOT apply for this position if you have not got the required experience.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has proven leadership skills and the confidence to manage and motivate a team.
• Has strong, practical kitchen experience and can confidently prepare and deliver a complete café menu from start to finish.
• Is organised, proactive and capable of managing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Understands food hygiene, allergen management and kitchen safety requirements.
• Is equally comfortable working in the kitchen and serving customers at the front counter.
• Can maintain excellent standards of cleanliness, organisation and food presentation.
• Has excellent communication skills and a professional, customer-focused approach.
• Takes ownership of their responsibilities and leads by example.
• Can work independently, make decisions and resolve operational issues confidently.

A Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification is required.

Working Hours, Pay & Location

Location: Shielings Café, National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride, G76 9HR

Position: Full-time

Pay: From £15.50 per hour.

Career Progression: Opportunities for increased remuneration and professional development as the successful candidate grows within the role.

Working Hours: The café operates seven days a week, opening from 10:00am. Weekend availability is essential.

About CYGNET

CYGNET is an established Scottish hospitality company specialising in café operations within some of Scotland's most recognised visitor attractions.

We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality food, professional service and an exceptional visitor experience. Our managers play a vital role in maintaining these standards and ensuring their sites operate successfully.

We are seeking someone who shares our commitment to quality, professionalism and operational excellence and whom wants to grow within the role with a permanent long term vision from the start.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced hospitality professional with strong leadership skills, practical kitchen experience and the confidence to take full responsibility for a busy café, we would welcome your application.

Email: enquiries@cygnet-catering.co.uk
Telephone: 07767 605538

Please submit your CV outlining your relevant management and kitchen experience.

References may be requested as part of the recruitment process.

Pay: £15.50-£17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 36.0 – 40.0 per week

Experience:

• Hospitality management: 3 years (required)
• Kitchen management: 3 years (required)
• Hospitality: 6 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (preferred)

Work Location: In person