Café Lead / Shift Manager

Hemma Social is a new family café and soft play space opening in East Village, Stratford, around 16–18 November 2026. We want one trusted, hands-on lead who can run a calm, welcoming service when the owner is away. Adults come for proper coffee and good food; children have a thoughtful place to play nearby. You will lead the daily shift across coffee, food, till and family service; open and close; handle cash, stock and routine issues; support the barista and kitchen prep lead; and coach the team as we grow. You should be confident making and checking espresso drinks yourself, especially when the bar gets busy. We are looking for someone who has led busy café or hospitality shifts, can make clear decisions, keeps standards high and treats guests and colleagues with warmth. The opening rota is expected to be around 35–40 hours a week, mostly daytime, including weekends. Paid pre-opening setup and training are expected in early November. Base pay is £17.50–£18.50 per hour depending on relevant experience. To apply, email your CV or work history, your earliest start date and a short example of a shift you led to vlad@hemmasocial.co.uk with “Café Lead” in the subject. We welcome applicants from different hospitality backgrounds and can discuss reasonable adjustments for interviews.