Weekend Cafe jobs in Canterbury

Employment type: Seasonal

Reports to: FOH Supervisor

Position description

Seasonal Cafe Front of House Team Members play a key role in delivering exceptional customer experiences by providing friendly, professional, and consistent service. As the first point of contact for customers in Encounter Cafe, they create a welcoming environment while supporting the smooth day-to-day running of food and coffee orders, ensuring every customer receives a high standard of service.

The role requires a focused and proactive approach, with exceptional teamwork, customer service and communication skills.

• We have part-time and full-time fixed-term positions available through our summer season.
• We are hiring from September.
• We continue to hire throughout the summer season (Nov-April) and whilst our preference is to hire for the full season, we may consider a shorter fixed-term for the right applicant. We do not typically hire for contracts of less than 3 months in duration.
• We love to hire locally and there may also be permanent opportunity for the right applicant.
• Please let us know your availability and preferred term in your application and note we can only consider applicants who are visa ready and fully available for 3 months or more.

Key responsibilities:

• Focus on supporting our customers and colleagues in a way that reflects Encounter Kaikoura's values.
• Prioritise keeping ourselves and those around us safe by speaking up and reporting hazards, near misses and incidents so we can continuously learn and improve.
• Welcome and serve all cafe customers, demonstrating exemplary and professional customer service.
• Consistently prepare and serve quality, well-balanced coffee, or be willing to undertake training to develop your barista skills if required.
• Deliver food and coffee orders to customers using correct service standards, and clear, clean and reset tables efficiently after customers depart to ensure maximum seating availability.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and welcoming cafe environment by completing general replenishment, restocking, tidying and cleaning tasks to support daily operations.
• Complete opening and end-of-day procedures with minimal supervision, including cash handling and reconciliation, prep for the following day, and communicating any relevant information to colleagues.
• Ensure any special requests and customer feedback are communicated to the kitchen team.
• Support Encounter Kaikoura's commitment to environmental sustainability by following responsible workplace practices including conserving energy and water, minimising waste, recycling appropriately, using cleaning products efficiently, and contributing ideas to improve our environmental footprint.

Desired skills and experience:

• Previous experience in a customer facing hospitality, retail or front of house role with a genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer service.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to confidently and professionally interact with customers and colleagues.
• Experience using point of sale systems preferred.
• Ability to multitask and prioritise competing demands while remaining calm and organised in a busy, fast paced environment.
• Proactive, adaptable and team orientated - willing to support other teams and assist wherever required.
• A flexible and resilient attitude towards working extended hours with early starts and late finishes when required.
• Previous barista experience is desirable, but training will be given to the right candidate if required by business demand.

Points to note:

• This is a role that requires a high level of reliability, consistency and versatility. Looking after yourself, managing fatigue and arriving fit and ready to work are important parts of the role. We are looking for applicants who take pride in their work, understand the importance of consistency, and are able to maintain a high standard of service levels throughout the day.
• During summer, days can be long – typically 8 hours on your feet, depending on business levels and tour length, so maintaining energy and stamina throughout the day is essential.
• We are a 7 day a week business and shifts will fall on public holidays and weekends.

What we offer:

• More than just a cafe; we are a tour operator and retail store and you get to be part of a wider dedicated and like minded team creating exceptional customer experiences everyday!
• Structured training and support for you to be successful in your role; we have a genuine interest in your personal development and job satisfaction and are responsive to your aspirations.
• Guaranteed minimum hours and the option for more hours for those that want them over peak season to meet customer demand.
• Staff discounts in our cafe and retail store.
• The ability to join our tours as often as you like subject to availability; our team often take the opportunity to swim with dolphins on their days off!

Before you apply

Please read the following essential requirements carefully before proceeding with your application:

• If you are not a New Zealand citizen or resident, or an Australian citizen, you must hold a valid New Zealand work visa covering the full duration of the contract. For fixed-term seasonal roles, your visa must remain valid for the entire summer season. We are unable to consider applicants whose visa does not cover the full contract period.
• You must be fluent in spoken and written English. English is the primary language used across our operation and is essential for communicating effectively with customers and colleagues, particularly in relation to safety procedures.
• You must be available and able to commit to the full seasonal contract period. Annual leave is generally not available during our peak summer season, so please do not apply if you are unable to commit to the full contract dates.

If you do not meet all the above requirements, please do not apply, as we will be unable to progress your application.