About Us
NOW Group are an award-winning social enterprise who delivers services across Northern Ireland supporting people with learning difficulties, autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future.
Our Café in Kilmainham Square Dublin 8 is our newest member to the Loaf Family. The Café has become a go to spot in the local area for residents, commuters and Tourists. We are now ready to drive our business to the next level, establishing ourselves with corporate catering to businesses in the local area and beyond.
About the Role:
We are seeking a Cafe Manager with a conscientious and innovative approach to join our team in Dublin 8. The ideal candidate will have a commitment to delivering exceptional service and a passion for high-quality food. This customer-facing role requires a proactive individual who can take our business to the next level.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Take full responsibility for the delivery of our food service, including the introduction of new and innovative menu options.
2. Ensure all services are appropriately staffed and manage any arising issues.
3. Balance daily menus to meet customer requirements.
4. Adapt and prioritise in line with business needs at short notice.
5. Maintain the highest standards of Health and Safety and HACCP in the catering facility.
6. Manage and develop the catering team.
7. Train and mentor the catering team and participants, ensuring front-of-house operations run smoothly, demonstrating a ‘can-do’ attitude at all times.
This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine
What We Offer
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata)
- Health Cash Plan (post-probation)
- Access to confidential staff counselling & financial advisory services
- Stakeholder Pension Scheme (5% employer contribution)
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Holiday purchase scheme
- Flexible working initiatives
- Wellbeing support programs
Our Values:
We are looking for candidates who align with NOW Group’s values, demonstrating flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to empowering participants. Successful candidates will exhibit a passion for social change and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, stakeholders, and colleagues.
About The Role
Additional Information:
- Successful candidates will undergo a Garda Vetting Bureau check.
- Shortlisting will be based on how well your application demonstrates that you meet the above criteria.
Required Criteria
- 1. Experience managing or operating in a high-standard food service environment
- 2. Ability to be flexible and adaptable and to work evenings, weekends and public holidays as required.
- 3. Third-level qualification in HACCP, Culinary Arts, or Professional Cookery.
- 4. Strong interpersonal skills.
- 5. Commercial acumen with strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
Desired Criteria
- 1. Bakery or Patisserie qualification.
- 2. Advanced food Hygiene Certificate or willing to work towards same.
- 3. Experience of working with adults with intellectual disabilities.
Skills Needed
About The Company
At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.
One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.
The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
Company Culture
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.
We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.
In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.
What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Company Benefits
Benefits at NOW Group
NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.
To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.
Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.
Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities
Salary
€35,000.00 per year