About Mocha Café and Diner
The Mocha Café and Diner is an independent, family-run establishment in Saffron Walden known for traditional food, high-quality coffee, ice cream milkshakes, and a vintage retro ambiance. We pride ourselves on offering customers familiar favourites in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
Job Overview
We are seeking a Lead Server to join our team. This is a counter-service role (not table service), where you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service at the counter, serving up expertly-crafted specialty drinks, helping with light food prep, ensuring smooth daily operations, and supporting other team members. The ideal candidate will have prior café or hospitality experience and enjoy working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
This role requires work on weekends and bank holidays and at least three shifts on weekdays. Please only apply if you can commit to this.
Responsibilities
- Greet customers, take orders at the counter, and process payments. Customer orders must be taken accurately and efficiently, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Assist with opening and closing duties, including cashing up tills, restocking, and cleaning.
- Prepare and serve coffee, tea, specialty drinks, milkshakes and ice cream desserts to Mocha Café and Diner standards. Adhere to food safety standards while handling and preparing food items.
- Assist with the production of light food items in the kitchen including sandwiches, jacket potatoes and side salads.
- Train, mentor, and support junior team members, ensuring a positive and efficient working environment.
- Oversee daily counter operations, including stock rotation, cleanliness, and presentation of displays.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the café, including cleaning tables and restocking supplies.
- Act as the first point of contact for customer concerns and resolve minor issues before escalating to the duty manager.
Requirements
- Must be aged 21 or above (due to maturity and responsibility requirements of the role).
- Flexible availability, including weekends and occasional evenings.
- Previous experience in a café, restaurant, hotel or hospitality environment.
- Barista experience is required.
- Knowledge of food safety practices and standards.
- Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a busy environment.
What we offer
- The chance to make a real impact on an independent family-run small business
- A fun, supportive working environment where your ideas matter
- Opportunities for training and career progression
- Free food and drink during shifts
- Structured break and lunch times
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Zero hours contract
Pay: £12.50-£13.00 per hour
Expected hours: 30 – 35 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
Experience:
- catering or hospitality: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
- English (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person