cafe manager
Position: Cafe Manager
Location: Wanaka
Hours: Full Time
Are you a leader who thrives on creating unforgettable experiences? Do you have a passion for exceptional coffee, artisan baking, and fostering a vibrant team spirit?
Pembroke Patisserie, Wanaka's award-winning destination for exquisite pastries and coffee, is searching for a dynamic and experienced Café Manager to lead our front-of-house team. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join a beloved local brand and play a pivotal role in driving our business forward.
Based in Albert Town, just a 5-minute drive from central Wānaka, we are a bustling hub of activity, open 7 days a week. As our Café Manager, you will be the heart of our customer experience, working collaboratively with the senior management team to cultivate a culture where our team loves to work, and our customers love to visit.
What you'll bring to the table:
We're looking for a hands-on leader with a gold-standard approach to hospitality. Your ability to motivate, mentor, and manage a team of friendly, professional, and switched-on individuals is paramount.
Inspirational Leadership: You will manage all aspects of the front-of-house team, including recruitment, training, and weekly rostering. Your focus will be on the ongoing development and performance of your team, ensuring a supportive and positive work environment.
Operational Excellence: You'll take full ownership of the day-to-day cafe operations. This includes everything from organizing staff breaks and delegating tasks to ordering stock and jumping on the coffee machine when needed.
Seamless Collaboration: You will work closely with the Kitchen Manager and Head Chef, ensuring smooth and efficient communication between the front-of-house and kitchen teams to maintain our high standards of service and product availability.
Customer Experience Champion: Your passion for creating exceptional customer experiences will be evident in every detail, from the welcome at the door to the final sip of coffee.
Business Acumen: You will have experience with administration, including Microsoft 365, Loaded, Chomp and a keen eye for driving sales and managing stock levels effectively.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Team Management: Leading the cafe team, including creating rosters, managing leave, and overseeing daily tasks.
Training & Development: Onboarding new team members and conducting regular performance reviews to foster growth.
Daily Operations: Ensuring the cafe runs smoothly, including managing opening and closing procedures, and maintaining a tidy and welcoming environment.
Customer & Order Management: Answering phone calls, recording messages, and managing email orders.
Health & Safety: Upholding all hygiene and Food Control Plan regulations within the front-of-house areas.
What we offer:
This isn't just a job; it's a career. At Pembroke Pâtisserie, we believe in investing in our people. We offer:
Supportive management and ongoing mentoring.
Genuine investment in your professional development within the hospitality industry.
The opportunity to make a real impact on a thriving and respected local business.
A vibrant and friendly team environment.
Rostered hours between 7 am and 4 pm.
If you have a minimum of 3 years of experience in a hospitality supervisory or management role and a genuine love for motivating teams to be their best, we want to hear from you.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Join our team and help us continue to delight our customers and lead the Wānaka café scene.
Applications close 31st August 2025.
Please submit an application using the link below.