Job Description
Cafe & Bar Manager
Department: Hospitality
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Medlock Square
Medlock Square marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of the Etihad Campus — a vibrant, year‑round destination for culture, leisure and entertainment, set alongside two global icons: the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, and the landmark Co‑op Live arena.
Named after the River Medlock that runs beneath the site, the development celebrates Manchester’s industrial heritage while shaping its next era of city‑defining experiences. Manchester is known worldwide for its sport, music and entertainment — and Medlock Square will build on that legacy, creating a landmark home for exceptional shared moments and elevating the city’s position as one of Europe’s most dynamic, fast‑growing destinations.
At the heart of this new district will be an extraordinary food and beverage offer: from relaxed coffee houses and all‑day dining to flagship restaurants and premium culinary experiences. Designed to serve both everyday visitors and major event audiences, Medlock Square will deliver high‑quality hospitality all week long and across the events calendar.
About the role
As Café & Bar Manager - Blend, you will lead the operation of a relaxed yet high-quality café and bar concept designed to transition effortlessly from day to night. Blend is a welcoming, versatile space - serving specialty coffee and artisanal pastries by day, before evolving into a laid-back evening destination offering curated wines, craft beers, and simple, well-executed drinks.
You will be accountable for the full guest journey, team performance, and commercial success of the venue -ensuring the offer remains relevant, consistent, and appealing throughout the day-to-night transition.
As a visible, hands-on leader, you’ll set the tone of the space - balancing energy, service style, and atmosphere to suit each moment, from relaxed daytime trade to a more social evening environment.
Working closely with senior hospitality leaders and wider campus teams, you will position Blend as a go-to destination within the Etihad Campus for both everyday visits and event-driven footfall.
You will be responsible for:
Service & Guest Experience
Deliver a friendly, approachable, and high-quality guest experience aligned to a relaxed café and bar environment. Create a seamless transition in atmosphere and service style between daytime café trading and evening bar operations while ensuring guests receive consistent and engaging service throughout the day. Manage guest flow, queues, and busy trading periods effectively, responding to guest feedback professionally and using insights to continuously enhance the overall experience. Ensure the venue remains clean, welcoming, and fully operational at all times.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, recruit, train, and develop a versatile front-of-house team capable of delivering both café and bar service to a high standard. Foster a positive, inclusive, and energetic team culture while setting clear expectations around service, product knowledge, presentation, and guest interaction. Deliver regular team briefings, coaching, and performance feedback while supporting the development of multi-skilled team members across all areas of the operation. Manage rotas and staffing levels in line with trading patterns, business needs, and event activity.
Operational Management
Oversee the day-to-day operation of the café and bar, ensuring smooth and efficient service across all trading periods. Manage transitions between daytime café and evening bar setups, including staffing, atmosphere, stock, and product availability. Maintain strong operational standards across ordering, stock control, cleanliness, and service delivery while adapting operations to support matchdays, concerts, and event-driven demand. Work closely with kitchen, front-of-house, and support teams to ensure effective communication and operational consistency.
Commercial Performance & Cost Control
Support the commercial success of the venue through strong product knowledge, upselling, and creating repeat guest visits. Monitor key performance indicators including sales, covers, spend per head, labour efficiency, and guest satisfaction while identifying opportunities to improve performance. Manage stock effectively, minimise wastage, and support ordering and cost control processes. Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and local initiatives designed to drive revenue and enhance the guest offer.
Compliance, Safety & Standards
Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, hygiene, and licensing standards across the operation. Maintain accurate records, daily checks, and operational procedures while promoting safe working practices for both guests and team members. Ensure high standards of cleanliness, presentation, and operational readiness are consistently maintained throughout the venue.
Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
Work closely with chefs, operational leaders, and wider campus teams to deliver a consistent and engaging food and beverage offer. Support seasonal menu launches, promotions, activations, and new initiatives while identifying opportunities to improve service flow, operational efficiency, product quality, and the overall guest experience.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- Proven experience as a Café Manager, Bar Manager, Assistant General Manager, or similar role in a fast-paced, quality-led environment
- Experience managing both daytime (coffee-led) and evening/bar service operations
- Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to build engaged teams
- Passion for hospitality with a focus on guest experience and community feel
- Good commercial awareness, including sales driving and labour control
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- Ability to adapt service style to suit different trading periods
- Understanding of POS systems and stock management tools
- Sound understanding of licensing, food safety, and health & safety requirements
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and event days
Desirable
- Knowledge of specialty coffee and bar service (wine, beer, cocktails)
- Experience in casual, lifestyle, or neighbourhood hospitality concepts
- Experience within multi-use or event-led venues
- Barista training or alcohol product knowledge qualifications
Why Join Us?
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Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
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Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
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Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
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Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
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Access to discounted Tickets at Co-op Live subject to availability
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Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
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Employee Discounts Platform (Blackhawk) – cashback and savings across major retailers
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Company Pension Scheme
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Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
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Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus
