Dessert Shop Manager / Business Partner

Job Description: Dessert Shop Manager / Business Partner

Job Title

Dessert Shop Manager / Operating Partner

Employment Type

Full\-time

Compensation

Base salary plus performance\-based incentives and potential equity/stake in the business, subject to agreed terms.

About the Business

We are launching a small dessert shop specialising in brownies, baked treats, and other high\-quality desserts. The business will start as a small, hands\-on operation with the aim of growing over time into a stronger, more established dessert brand.

We are looking for someone who is not just seeking a standard shop job, but someone who wants to take ownership of the day\-to\-day running of the business. The right person will help build the shop from the ground up, manage operations independently, and play a key role in growing the business.

This role is ideal for someone with strong experience in food retail, desserts, baking, hospitality, or café/shop management, who is confident working alone initially and is excited by the opportunity to earn a stake in the business as it grows.

Role Overview

The Dessert Shop Manager / Operating Partner will be responsible for running the shop on a day\-to\-day basis. As the shop will be small at the beginning, the successful candidate must be comfortable working independently, handling customers, preparing or finishing products, managing stock, keeping the shop clean, opening and closing the premises, and helping improve the business.

This is a hands\-on role. You will be expected to treat the shop as if it were your own, making sure standards are high, customers are happy, products are presented well, and the business operates smoothly.

As the business grows, the role may develop into a more senior management or partner position, with responsibility for hiring staff, training team members, developing new products, managing multiple locations, or supporting wider brand growth.

Key Responsibilities

Day\-to\-Day Shop Management

You will be responsible for the smooth running of the shop each day. This includes opening and closing the shop, preparing the space for customers, ensuring products are ready for sale, managing the till, handling payments, and making sure the shop looks clean, professional, and welcoming at all times.

You will need to make sure the shop is properly stocked, displays are attractive, and all products are presented to a high standard. Since the shop will be small at first, you should be happy to work independently and take responsibility without needing constant supervision.

Customer Service

You will be the face of the business for customers. You must be friendly, professional, reliable, and confident speaking to people. You will help customers choose products, answer questions about ingredients and flavours, deal with complaints professionally, and create a positive experience that encourages customers to return.

Excellent customer service will be a major part of the role, especially while the business is building its reputation.

Product Preparation and Quality Control

The shop will focus on brownies and other desserts, so the successful candidate should have an interest in desserts, baking, food presentation, and quality control.

Depending on the setup of the business, your duties may include baking, preparing, decorating, packaging, portioning, heating, finishing, or displaying desserts. You will need to make sure products are fresh, consistent, visually appealing, and served according to the shop’s standards.

You will also help identify which products sell well, which products need improvement, and what new desserts or flavours could be introduced.

Stock, Ordering and Waste Management

You will monitor stock levels and make sure ingredients, packaging, drinks, cleaning supplies, and other essentials are available when needed. You will help control waste, avoid over\-ordering, and make sure products are stored correctly.

You should be organised and able to keep basic stock records, report shortages, and suggest improvements to reduce waste and improve profit margins.

Hygiene, Food Safety and Compliance

You will be responsible for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the shop. This includes cleaning surfaces, equipment, displays, customer areas, storage areas, and any food preparation spaces.

You must follow all food safety procedures, including correct storage, labelling, allergen awareness, temperature control, cleaning schedules, and safe food handling. A food hygiene certificate is preferred, or the candidate must be willing to obtain one before starting.

Sales and Business Growth

This role is not only about running the shop; it is also about helping the business grow. You will be expected to think commercially and look for ways to increase sales, improve customer experience, reduce costs, and build repeat business.

This may include suggesting promotions, improving displays, helping with social media content, encouraging customer reviews, creating bundle offers, testing new products, and giving feedback on pricing or customer demand.

As the business grows, you may also help with events, catering orders, delivery platforms, seasonal products, corporate orders, or pop\-up opportunities.

Social Media and Local Marketing

The ideal candidate should understand the importance of presentation and social media in a dessert business. You may be asked to help take photos or videos of products, suggest content ideas, respond to basic customer enquiries, or help promote new desserts and offers.

You do not need to be a professional marketer, but you should understand that attractive products, good customer service, and local promotion are key to growing the shop.

Reporting and Communication

You will be expected to keep the owners updated on sales, stock, customer feedback, any problems, and general shop performance. This may include daily or weekly updates, simple sales reports, stock notes, or suggestions for improvement.

You should be honest, reliable, and comfortable taking responsibility for the shop when the owners are not present.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

The ideal candidate should have:

Previous experience in a dessert shop, bakery, café, restaurant, food retail, or hospitality environment

Experience managing or supervising a shop, café, food counter, or small team

Strong customer service skills

Ability to work independently and take initiative

Good organisation and time\-management skills

Understanding of food hygiene and cleanliness standards

Reliability, honesty, and a strong work ethic

Confidence handling cash, card payments, and basic daily sales records

Interest in desserts, brownies, baking, or food presentation

Willingness to be hands\-on with all areas of the business

A positive attitude and desire to help build a growing business

Preferred

The following would be beneficial but are not essential:

Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate or higher

Baking or pastry experience

Experience launching or growing a small food business

Experience with delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, or Just Eat

Social media experience, especially Instagram or TikTok

Basic understanding of stock control, profit margins, and cost management

Experience training or managing staff

Personal Qualities We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is responsible, mature, and ambitious. This person must be able to run the shop without needing constant supervision. They should care about the business, take pride in high standards, and be willing to put in the effort needed during the early stages.

The right person will be:

Trustworthy

Hardworking

Practical and hands\-on

Friendly with customers

Commercially minded

Organised

Calm under pressure

Passionate about desserts and customer experience

Willing to grow with the business

Able to think like an owner, not just an employee

Equity / Stake Opportunity

For the right candidate, we are open to offering a stake in the business. This would be discussed in detail and agreed formally based on experience, commitment, performance, and contribution to the growth of the business.

The stake may be linked to clear milestones such as length of service, shop performance, sales growth, operational responsibility, or other agreed targets. Full details would be agreed in writing before any equity or profit\-share arrangement begins.

This opportunity is designed for someone who wants to build something long\-term and be rewarded for helping the business succeed.

Working Hours

The role will require flexibility, especially during the early stages of the business. Working hours may include weekdays, weekends, evenings, public holidays, and busy seasonal periods.

Exact hours will be agreed depending on the shop’s opening times and business needs.

Main Duties Summary

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Open and close the shop

Serve customers and provide excellent service

Prepare, package, display, and sell brownies and desserts

Maintain cleanliness and food hygiene standards

Monitor stock and supplies

Manage daily sales and till operations

Handle customer feedback and complaints

Help promote the shop and increase sales

Suggest new products, offers, and improvements

Keep owners updated on shop performance

Work independently until the business grows enough to hire more staff

Help build systems and standards for future expansion

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to join a dessert business at the beginning and play a major role in shaping its future. Rather than simply joining as an employee, the right person will have the chance to become a key part of the business and potentially benefit from its growth.

This role would suit someone who has always wanted to run a food business but does not currently have the opportunity to start one alone. You will be trusted with real responsibility and given the chance to help build

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