Job Description
CERES Environment park - Merri Cafe
The Merri Cafe at CERES Environment Park in Brunswick East is looking for a Hospitality professional to lead its front-of-house team.
Work for a social enterprise in a unique environment surrounded by nature on an urban farm.
Learn sustainable food practises
Room to make the role your own
Position Description
Classification:
HS5 (Restaurant Award)
$30.68 M-F, $38.35 Sat, $46.02 Sun
Working conditions:
4 - 5 days per week (negotiable)
includes 1 x weekend day and some administration hours.
About CERES
CERES is a not-for-profit environmental education centre, urban farm and social enterprise hub spread across four locations, linked by the Merri and Darebin Creeks on Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne. We are a registered charity with the principal purpose of protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Starting as a rubbish tip, CERES has grown into a thriving green hub: a model for urban farms around Australia, a living education centre for environmental best practice, and an incubator for better business and ideas that might just change the world. More than half a million people visit the site each year, and its social enterprises – which include cafes, market gardens, an organic grocery and bakery, sustainable timber, home-delivered groceries (CERES Fair Food), a retail nursery, workshops, school education and regular events and festivals - reach many more.
About CERES Merri Cafe
The Merri Cafe links growing, cooking, eating and learning - to put food back at the centre of our lives in a way that benefits the community and enriches lives.
Serving a changing menu of local, seasonal and plant-based wholefoods in a welcoming and casual space, The Merri Café is a 150-seater licensed restaurant open 7 days a week (9am – 3pm) providing food service to CERES visitors and the community. Our breakfast, lunch and catering menus showcase the best products from our Victorian producers and farmers.
We are committed to sustainability and utilise the latest technology along with informed decisions on food waste, energy and water to reduce our environmental impact.
Role purpose
Create a delicious, abundant and seasonal food service that inspires people to think about their own food choices.
The Merri Café Floor Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all front of house staff are working to deliver high-quality food and service, that customer needs are met, and operational efficiencies are maintained.
The Merri Café Floor Manager will work under the guidance of the Merri Café Manager and Lead Chef to ensure the smooth running of the enterprise daily and maintain the ongoing financial viability of the enterprise.
Key areas of accountability
Front of House Management
Supervise all related front of house activities, including staff management, coffee and beverage service, customer service, ordering, food delivery and cleaning.
Provide consistent, friendly and informed customer service, and respond to any feedback from clients positively and respectfully.
Support daily general enterprise operations such as stock control and ordering, invoicing and external communication.
Ensure any in-house catering is delivered correctly and on-time and catering kitchenettes are clean and equipped for clients daily.
Maintain and update POS and table ordering systems.
Work with the Merri Café Manager to maintain all regulatory standards and compliance requirements for food service, including but not limited to food safety standards and liquor licensing regulations.
Staffing Management
Supervise all front of house staff, ensuring quality standard of service, productivity in line with staff roster system and regulatory compliance.
Ensure that all staff are familiar with available menus, catering orders and the kitchen team requirements during day-to-day service.
Ensure that all front of house staff have adequate training, are familiar with the aims of the business and that personal hygiene/appearances are maintained.
Assist with the front of house staff roster system and ensure that any matters affecting front of house staffing are related to the Merri Café Manager as required.
Financial Management
Manage daily financial operations, including invoicing, cash reconciliation and costings and provide to the Merri Café Manager or Accounts promptly.
Complete daily financial reports and report on variations to the Merri Café Manager on time.
Work with the Merri Café Manager to set and meet all daily income targets and budgets.
Person specification
Essential:
Proven hospitality qualifications or demonstrated experience.
Proven industry management experience in a fast-paced restaurant or similar environment.
Financial management skills including invoicing, cash reconciliation, costings and working within budget.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work weekends.
Desirable:
A sound knowledge and understanding of local, seasonal and organic foods.
Event management experience, including functions and catering.
Qualifications
Responsible Service of ******* qualification
Food Safety Supervisor qualification
The Merri Cafe at CERES Environment Park in Brunswick East is looking for a Hospitality professional to lead its front-of-house team.
Work for a social enterprise in a unique environment surrounded by nature on an urban farm.
Learn sustainable food practises
Room to make the role your own
Position Description
Classification:
HS5 (Restaurant Award)
$30.68 M-F, $38.35 Sat, $46.02 Sun
Working conditions:
4 - 5 days per week (negotiable)
includes 1 x weekend day and some administration hours.
About CERES
CERES is a not-for-profit environmental education centre, urban farm and social enterprise hub spread across four locations, linked by the Merri and Darebin Creeks on Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne. We are a registered charity with the principal purpose of protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Starting as a rubbish tip, CERES has grown into a thriving green hub: a model for urban farms around Australia, a living education centre for environmental best practice, and an incubator for better business and ideas that might just change the world. More than half a million people visit the site each year, and its social enterprises – which include cafes, market gardens, an organic grocery and bakery, sustainable timber, home-delivered groceries (CERES Fair Food), a retail nursery, workshops, school education and regular events and festivals - reach many more.
About CERES Merri Cafe
The Merri Cafe links growing, cooking, eating and learning - to put food back at the centre of our lives in a way that benefits the community and enriches lives.
Serving a changing menu of local, seasonal and plant-based wholefoods in a welcoming and casual space, The Merri Café is a 150-seater licensed restaurant open 7 days a week (9am – 3pm) providing food service to CERES visitors and the community. Our breakfast, lunch and catering menus showcase the best products from our Victorian producers and farmers.
We are committed to sustainability and utilise the latest technology along with informed decisions on food waste, energy and water to reduce our environmental impact.
Role purpose
Create a delicious, abundant and seasonal food service that inspires people to think about their own food choices.
The Merri Café Floor Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all front of house staff are working to deliver high-quality food and service, that customer needs are met, and operational efficiencies are maintained.
The Merri Café Floor Manager will work under the guidance of the Merri Café Manager and Lead Chef to ensure the smooth running of the enterprise daily and maintain the ongoing financial viability of the enterprise.
Key areas of accountability
Front of House Management
Supervise all related front of house activities, including staff management, coffee and beverage service, customer service, ordering, food delivery and cleaning.
Provide consistent, friendly and informed customer service, and respond to any feedback from clients positively and respectfully.
Support daily general enterprise operations such as stock control and ordering, invoicing and external communication.
Ensure any in-house catering is delivered correctly and on-time and catering kitchenettes are clean and equipped for clients daily.
Maintain and update POS and table ordering systems.
Work with the Merri Café Manager to maintain all regulatory standards and compliance requirements for food service, including but not limited to food safety standards and liquor licensing regulations.
Staffing Management
Supervise all front of house staff, ensuring quality standard of service, productivity in line with staff roster system and regulatory compliance.
Ensure that all staff are familiar with available menus, catering orders and the kitchen team requirements during day-to-day service.
Ensure that all front of house staff have adequate training, are familiar with the aims of the business and that personal hygiene/appearances are maintained.
Assist with the front of house staff roster system and ensure that any matters affecting front of house staffing are related to the Merri Café Manager as required.
Financial Management
Manage daily financial operations, including invoicing, cash reconciliation and costings and provide to the Merri Café Manager or Accounts promptly.
Complete daily financial reports and report on variations to the Merri Café Manager on time.
Work with the Merri Café Manager to set and meet all daily income targets and budgets.
Person specification
Essential:
Proven hospitality qualifications or demonstrated experience.
Proven industry management experience in a fast-paced restaurant or similar environment.
Financial management skills including invoicing, cash reconciliation, costings and working within budget.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work weekends.
Desirable:
A sound knowledge and understanding of local, seasonal and organic foods.
Event management experience, including functions and catering.
Qualifications
Responsible Service of ******* qualification
Food Safety Supervisor qualification
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Cafe Floor Manager position is now open for candidates interested in the Restaurants & Food Service sector. This role in Brunswick East offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Restaurants & Food Service is a plus.