General Cafe Assistant jobs

Job Overview
New Start Highland is a dynamic and leading social enterprise which creates opportunities for transformation in people’s lives. Over the past 25 years New Start Highland has delivered a wide range of social services to transform Highland lives. New Start Highland also operates several commercial services to generate income to finance its charitable activities, including a new Café at our Carsegate site. Our new community café aims to support young people aged 16–25 in developing key hospitality and life skills.

We are seeking a Café Assistant / General Cafe Worker to support the delivery of high-quality customer service, kitchen duties, and front-of-house operations. You will also play a role in the cafe operations supporting young people, many of whom face barriers to employment, to gain confidence, accredited qualifications, and real-world experience, to help them build independent, sustainable futures, whilst also successfully running a community café that generates sustainable income and growth.

Purpose of Post - To deliver high-quality customer service skills, front-of-house operations, and general kitchen porter duties in our community café.

Accountable to - Cafe / Kitchen Supervisors

Working Relationships -

The post-holder will be required to develop effective and positive working relationships with all New Start Highland departments, colleagues and customers.

Key result area -

- To deliver a high quality, professional cafe service to meet departmental KPI’s and New Start Highland quality standards.

- To deliver an excellent customer experience.

- To perform all duties of the post in a professional manner in line with New Start Highland culture and core values.

Main responsibilities

- To assist in ensuring that in all aspects of work, New Start Highland’s values, policies and procedures are adhered to in a consistent manner.

- To maintain confidentiality.

- To liaise with staff, volunteers, service users and the general public in a courteous manner that promotes a positive image and upholds the company reputation.

- To always maintain safe systems of work ensuring quality of service and all relevant Health and Safety and hygiene regulations are consistently delivered.

- To communicate clearly and effectively with other members of the team and the general public.

Key Tasks

· Deliver front-of-house duties including customer service, till operation, order taking, barista skills, table service, and hygiene protocols.

- Undertake general kitchen duties.

· Work alongside young trainees during café shifts, providing daily support and encouragement.

· Ensure a warm, inclusive, and welcoming café environment for customers and trainees.

· Maintain daily front-of-house operations including cleanliness, customer flow, and service quality.

· Work collaboratively with kitchen and support staff to create a seamless training and customer experience.

· Any other duties appropriate to post

Conditions

The hours for this post are part time, worked flexibly to cover our café opening hours, which are 7.30am to 4pm (Mon to Fri); 10am to 4pm (Sat & Sun).

There are 32 days annual leave per year inclusive of public holidays rising to 35 days after five years’ service. There will be an opportunity to participate in a contributory pension scheme.

Core Skills and Competencies

Knowledge

Essential - Knowledge of customer service standards and health & hygiene regulations

Desirable - Relevant qualifications in hospitality, customer service, or training

Skills

Essential - Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable - Passionate about youth development, inclusion, and social impact.

Experience

Essential - Experience in a front-of-house or customer-facing hospitality role.

Desirable - Previous experience of maintaining accurate food hygiene standards.

Approach

Essential - Positive, patient, and adaptable, with good organisational skills.

- Ability to maintain good humour and remain focused under pressure.

- Smart and presentable appearance.

- Team mind set.

- Good time keeping.

- Accountable and responsible.

- Initiative and common sense.

Desirable

- Ability to relate to people and form and develop constructive relationships at all levels.

- Solution Focused.

Other

This post is subject to Enhanced Disclosure “clearance” and Police Scotland checks.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From £13.45 per hour

Work Location: In person