Shift Supervisor (Kearsney Café)

Dover District Council has an exciting agenda to deliver first class public services, putting our residents at the heart of everything we do. From building new, affordable homes to exciting regeneration schemes. A career with Dover District Council offers you the opportunity to excel.

As an employer, Dover District Council is proud to provide a supportive, friendly, diverse and flexible working environment in which our employees can thrive. We have a team of enthusiastic employees, delivering services they are passionate about.

The Role & Responsibilities:

Are you an experienced hospitality professional with a passion for customer service, team leadership and food safety?

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Café Shift Supervisor to help lead the day-to-day operation of Kearsney Café and associated catering activities across Dover District Council sites.

This is a hands-on role where no two days are the same. You will lead shifts within a busy, fast-paced café environment, ensuring excellent customer service, high food safety standards and smooth operational delivery. As the designated shift lead, you will oversee service delivery, allergen management, stock control, ordering, cleanliness, security and health and safety compliance, whilst ensuring every visitor receives an outstanding experience.

Working closely with the Café Operations Manager, you will support menu development, help maintain strong financial controls and play a key role in developing and motivating the café team. You will be confident managing operational challenges, resolving customer concerns and leading by example to create a positive and welcoming environment for both customers and colleagues.

Responsibilities:

• Leading and coordinating daily café operations and service delivery.
• Delivering exceptional customer service and creating a welcoming visitor experience.
• Supervising, motivating and supporting staff during shifts.
• Managing staffing issues and responding to day-to-day operational challenges.
• Acting as the lead person on shift for allergen management, food labelling compliance and food safety.
• Monitoring stock levels, placing orders and reducing waste.
• Maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene and presentation throughout the venue.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation, food hygiene requirements and Council policies.
• Supporting employee training, coaching and development.
• Assisting with menu development and continuous service improvement.
• Managing cash handling, revenue recording and purchasing processes in line with Council procedures.
• Carrying out security procedures and helping maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors.

Who We Are Looking For

You will have experience in a supervisory role within hospitality, catering or food service and be passionate about delivering excellent customer experiences. Strong knowledge of allergen management, food labelling requirements, food hygiene and health and safety standards is essential.

You will be an effective communicator with the confidence to lead a team, solve problems and maintain high standards in a busy environment. Experience of stock control, budgeting, EPOS systems and staff training would be advantageous.

This role requires flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays and occasional evenings to support the needs of the service.

If you thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment and want to help deliver exceptional food, service and visitor experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

Required experience and knowledge:

• 1-2 years' experience in a similar hospitality, catering or supervisory role.
• Excellent customer service skills with a passion for delivering outstanding visitor experiences.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and work effectively under pressure.
• Experience working in a customer-facing environment.
• A good understanding of health and safety requirements within a hospitality setting.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene regulations, allergen management and food labelling compliance.
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation.
• GCSEs (Grade 4-9/A-C) or equivalent in five subjects, including English and Maths.

This is a full-time annualised role averaging 37 hours per week. You would be required to work a flexible a shift pattern including weekdays, weekends and occasional evenings.

This role requires current full driving licence effective in the UK and use of a motor vehicle for business use, or the ability to get to sites in a timely manner equivalent to motor travel in your own car.

As your role requires the occasional use of Council‑owned vehicles, you will be required to complete a Pre‑Employment Medical Questionnaire through our Occupational Heath Provider.

What Can We Offer?

We can provide a friendly and supportive environment for you to excel in. We also offer several employee benefits, subject to eligibility criteria, such as:

• Benenden Healthcare Membership and Employee Assistance Program
• Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension
• Generous annual leave provision
• Discount scheme including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
• On-site parking (site dependent)
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Generous Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

Due to the nature of this role, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a Basic DBS check as part of their pre-employment clearances.

The quality of your application will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

For an alternative format, or to apply using a different method, please contact us.

What Next?

If you would like a further discussion about the post then please contact Lorraine Lyons, Café Operations Manager at Lorraine.Lyons@dover.gov.uk

Interviews to be held on 6 October 2026. We reserve the right to interview and appoint candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Early applications are strongly encouraged, as the vacancy may close once a suitable candidate is identified. The interview will be question-based.