Overview
Junior Coffee Operations Manager Jobs in Cape Town at U-turn Homeless Ministries
Summary
U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. We are looking for a Junior Coffee Operations Manager to join Retail team in Cape Town from. This is a full-time onsite position and will initially be offered as a one-year contract.
This position
There is an opportunity for a person with strong leadership, operational management, and coffee industry experience to join the U-turn team as a Junior Coffee Operations Manager. Reporting directly to the Retail Operations Manager, the candidate will oversee the setup, launch, and daily operations of new and existing coffee shops, ensuring efficient workflows, supplier management, and staff training. The ideal candidate is happy to work in an organization with strong Christian motivations, highly organized, adaptable, and passionate about creating exceptional customer experiences while driving business growth.
Background
U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway to address their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.
To help people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes addiction rehabilitation, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. Through this process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.
Our graduates enter the open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate! We are actively working to expand to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.
Social Enterprises
Actual work-experience largely takes place within our social enterprises. U-turn’s social enterprises comprise an extensive retail network connected to our Charity Stores as well as other companies owned by, or in partnership with, U-turn.
Key areas of responsibility
New Store Setup & Expansion – Oversee the layout design, planning, setup, and regulatory compliance (permits, licenses and inspections) for new coffee shop locations.
Supplier & Vendor Management – Establish supplier relationships (e.g. for coffee, food, cups, equipment, furniture and other essentials), procure required equipment, and develop a menu (pastries & muffins etc) that aligns with brand, meets customer preferences and ensures pricing aligns with financial goals.
Staff recruitment & team development – Recruit, on-board and train coffee shop staff while fostering a strong team culture and professional development.
Training – create and oversee delivery of a comprehensive training programme for new staff and U-turn Champions to take place after basic Red Band training done.
Operational Systems & Efficiency – Set up and implement POS systems, streamline workflows, and manage inventory to optimize daily operations.
Marketing & Launch Strategy – Ensure café branding is consistent across all touchpoints, plan and execute pre-launch marketing campaigns and grand opening events to drive customer engagement, support ongoing marketing activities.
Financial Oversight & Budgeting – Create detailed budgets for setup phase, track expenses – managing to budget, and set realistic revenue goals to ensure financial sustainability.
Health, Safety & Compliance – Ensure all locations meet health, safety, and food regulations while training staff on safety protocols.
Business Growth – Build a successful and sustainable business by identifying opportunities for business growth, operational improvement, and customer experience enhancements.
Experience and Skills
Coffee Industry Experience – Proven experience in coffee shop operations, including barista training, menu development, and equipment management. [Essential]
Project & Store Setup Experience – Experience in opening and setting up new coffee shops, including layout planning, supplier sourcing, and licensing.
Leadership & Team Management – Strong leadership skills to recruit, train, and manage staff while fostering a positive team culture.
Operational & Financial Acumen – Ability to implement efficient workflows, manage budgets, track expenses, and drive profitability.
Vendor & Supply Chain Management – Experience in negotiating with suppliers, managing inventory, and ensuring cost-effective procurement.
Marketing & Brand Development – Knowledge of marketing strategies, social media engagement, and customer acquisition tactics for café openings.
Health & Safety Compliance – Understanding of food safety regulations, workplace safety standards, and compliance requirements.
Problem-Solving & Adaptability – Strong problem-solving skills to handle operational challenges and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
Personal attributes
Strong Leadership – Able to inspire, train, and manage a team to maintain high operational and service standards.
Highly Organized – Skilled at managing multiple tasks, from store setup to daily operations, while ensuring efficiency.
Adaptable & Solution-Oriented – Thrives in a fast-paced environment, solving challenges quickly and effectively.
Passionate About Coffee & Hospitality – Deep enthusiasm for coffee culture and delivering outstanding customer experiences.
Business-Minded – Understands financial management, budgeting, and strategies for driving profitability.
Excellent Communicator – Able to collaborate with staff, suppliers, and leadership to align operations with business goals.
Organisational Fit (where applicable)
If in recovery – actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practicing recovery behaviour
If employed as a Professional – affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
Gospel orientation – connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action
Next Steps
Candidates interested in this position should apply online at https://homeless.org.za/career-form The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
Title: Junior Coffee Operations Manager
Company: U-turn Homeless Ministries
Location: Cape Town
