Merlo Cafe Manager

We currently have an opportunity for a Cafe Manager. Join our Health and Education team and play a key role in in delivering an exceptional customer experience while driving operational excellence and team performance within a high-profile healthcare setting. Reporting to Retail Services Manager you'll help deliver high-quality outcomes that support our essential services.

What You’ll Do

This role offers a broad scope, with key responsibilities including:
 

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the café, ensuring high standards in food and beverage service, staff presentation, and customer experience while meeting contractual and franchise obligations.
• Foster a welcoming environment with excellent customer service, maintain professional relationships with the landlord, and actively respond to feedback and concerns. 
• Lead, train, and support a collaborative café team, delivering clear direction, ongoing coaching, and ensuring compliance with HR policies and performance standards. 
• Uphold rigorous standards in workplace health and safety, food safety, and hygiene practices, ensuring all operations compliance requirements. 

• Manage budgeting, cash handling, inventory, payroll, and reporting processes to optimise café performance and contribute to financial targets.

   

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in hospitality or service industry management, ideally with financial (P&L) responsibility and a strong focus on customer service.
• Tertiary qualifications in hospitality, business, or equivalent operational management experience in a medium-sized organisation.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and coordinate a team effectively.
• Sound commercial and operational acumen, including skills in planning, business operations, and financial performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and liaise confidently with staff, customers, and stakeholders.

More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer?

At Downer, we plan, create, and sustain essential public services across Australia and New Zealand. From hospitals to data centres and defence partnerships, we manage critical infrastructure that keeps communities thriving.

What It Means to Belong at Downer

We’re proud of our high-performance culture and commitment to diversity, offering:

• Training and development to support and diversify your career. 

• With 30% of vacancies filled internally you’ll find real opportunities to advance your career.

• Perks@Downer: healthcare discounts, great savings on retail purchases, car purchases and much more.

• Employee Assistance Program: professional support for you and your family when you need it most.

Downer Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including First Nations people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.