Café Assistant  
Harrogate, North Yorkshire  

Permanent, 20 hours per week  

We are committed to paying the Real Living Wage. 

 
About Us 

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.  

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer. 

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.  

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships. 

 
The Benefits 

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more. 

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Café Assistant, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen. 

 
The Role 
 
We are currently looking for a Café Assistant to join our Café team at our Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre in Harrogate.  

Reporting to the Café Manager, you will work alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, delivering excellent customer service, preparing food and drinks, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and presentation. You’ll also assist with stock control, financial procedures, and café administration. 

Specifically, you will: 

• Play an active part in running our Café in Harrogate, supporting the Café Manager in implementing processes and ways of working.  

• Adhere to and administer all processes and practices of the Café through active stock management, replenishment, and rotation. 

• Take customer orders and prepare and serve food and drinks to the agreed standards as demonstrated by the Café Management team. 

• Support the Café management team to ensure the Café is presented to the highest standards and kept clean and tidy, including washing up and clearing tables. 

• Provide the highest levels of customer service to our customers and visitors to the centre and support our volunteers to do the same.  

• Work alongside a team of well-trained volunteers in a positive and collaborative manner. 

• Ensure that all charity policies, cafe standards, and operating procedures are adhered to by all volunteers and are maintained and followed in a consistent manner. This includes Food Safety, Allergens, Health and Safety and Trading Standards. 

• Operate the EPOS system in accordance with charity policy to ensure accounting and stock control are correct. 

• Train and work alongside a team of volunteers to deliver an outstanding customer experience. 

• Handle complaints effectively and efficiently, escalating to Café management where they cannot be resolved at a local level. 

• Be trained as a First Aider and Fire Marshal. 

 
About You 

To be considered for this role, you will need: 

• To be ideally educated to GCSE level or equivalent but not essential.  

• To ideally to have a proven track record in hospitality or catering.  

• To have previous experience in charity sector or commercial sector is desirable. 

• To have a basic understanding of Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word and Excel. 

• To have experience of managing people/volunteers including recruitment and development is desirable. 

• To be organised with good time management skills.  

• To have the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.  

• To have good communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-focused approach.  

• To have the ability to motivate self and others.  

• To have the ability to use own initiative.  

• To be resilient and adaptable to change. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.  

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 28 August 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity. 

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.