: Café Lead – Coal Loader

Location : Coal Loader Sustainability Centre, Waverton NSW

Employment type : Full-time - 1-year contract

Salary: $71,000 per annum plus superannuation, plus $15,900 fringe benefits

Reports to : Makerspace Venue Manager

About The Freedom Hub The Freedom Hub (TFH) is a social enterprise that helps end modern slavery in Australia. We run cafés, events, education programs and ethical business services to fund our Survivor School, where people who have experienced contemporary slavery can rebuild their lives, confidence and independence. Our cafés are more than places to buy coffee. They are welcoming community spaces where every purchase helps create freedom, dignity and long-term support for survivors.

About the role

We are looking for a warm, capable and hands-on Café Lead to help run the day-to-day operations of TFH café at the Coal Loader Sustainability Centre. This role is ideal for an experienced barista who enjoys great coffee, calm leadership, practical problem-solving and creating a positive customer experience. You will be the key person on-site during café shifts, helping make sure the café runs smoothly, is fully stocked, customers are cared for, and casual staff feel supported.

This is not a full café manager role. The Café Lead will report to the Makerspace Manager, who will provide oversight, direction and support. However, the Café Lead will take responsibility for the daily rhythm of the café and help build a healthy, values-led team culture.

Key responsibilities

Café operations

· Open and close the café according to agreed procedures.

· Prepare and serve high-quality coffee and simple café food items.

- Maintain a clean, organised and welcoming café environment.
- Ensure daily tasks are completed efficiently and to a high standard.
- Monitor café presentation, hygiene, service flow and customer experience.
- Support the smooth running of busy periods, including weekends and events where required.

Barista and customer service

- Make consistently excellent coffee – training in the TFH recipe provided
- Provide friendly, qualified and thoughtful service to all customers.
- Respond to customer questions, feedback and complaints with maturity and care.
- Create a welcoming environment that reflects TFH’s mission and values.




- Help customers understand the social impact of the café where appropriate.
- Encourage customers to become members or subscribe to our newsletter
- Provide social media pics and videos for growing the community

Stock and ordering

- Monitor stock levels and manage ordering needs in a timely manner.
- Place or assist with stock orders as agreed with the Makerspace Manager.
- Receive, check and store deliveries appropriately.
- Minimise waste and help manage stock rotation.
- Alert the Makerspace Manager to supply issues, equipment concerns or unusual costs.

Team culture and casual staff support

- Support casual staff during shifts and help create a fun, positive working culture.
- Provide practical guidance to team members on service standards, café procedures and customer care.
- Model respectful, inclusive and values-led behaviour.
- Help create a workplace where staff feel clear, supported and accountable.
- Escalate staffing, performance or wellbeing concerns to the Makerspace Manager.

Compliance and safety

- Follow food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety procedures.
- Ensure Responsible Service of Alcohol requirements are followed at all times.
- Maintain a clean and secure work environment.
- Ensure equipment is used safely and faults are reported quickly.
- Handle cash, POS systems and daily sales processes accurately.
- Follow TFH’s policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality and respectful workplace expectations.

Skills and experience

Essential

- Robust barista experience and confidence working on a commercial group head coffee machine.
- Ability to present food well and teach new staff to present food well.
- Previous café, hospitality or customer service experience.
- Current RSA & Current Food Safety certification.
- Ability to work independently and stay calm under pressure.
- Friendly, outgoing, warm, professional and confident communication style.




- Ability to handle customer complaints respectfully and practically.
- Good organisational skills, including stock monitoring and daily task management
- Positive attitude and willingness to support casual staff.
- Reliable, punctual and able to take responsibility during shifts.
- Alignment with The Freedom Hub’s mission and values.

Desirable
- Previous experience as a senior barista, café supervisor, shift supervisor or team leader.
- Experience ordering stock or managing suppliers.
- Experience working in a social enterprise, charity, community venue or values-led organisation.
- Interest in sustainability, ethical business and community engagement.

Personal qualities We are looking for someone who is:
- Fun to work with
- Warm and welcoming.
- Calm under pressure.
- Practical and organised.
- Kind but confident.
- Reliable and responsible.
- A good communicator.
- Comfortable taking initiative.
- Able to create a fun and positive culture with casual staff.
- Passionate about using business for positive.

Hours of work This is a permanent full-time role. Hours may include weekdays, weekends, public holidays or event days depending on café operations.

What success looks like The Café Lead will help create a café that is:

- Welcoming to the local community and Coal Loader visitors.
- Known for good coffee and thoughtful service.
- Organised, clean and well-stocked.
- Financially responsible and waste-conscious.
- A fun and positive workplace for casual staff.
- A strong reflection of The Freedom Hub’s mission to support survivors of modern slavery.

With our new Makerspace Café & Event Venue opening in Waterloo in November 2026 and the many events hosted at The Coal Loader Venue, this is a great career step offering: opportunity to grow beyond café-only experience, participate in one of Australia’s leading social enterprises, and work for changing lives in Australia. Checkout > thefreedomhub.org

Applications – close 6 th Sept / pref. start date 16 th Sept To apply, please send your resume and a short cover note explaining why this role interests you and what you would bring to The Freedom Hub café team. Apply early because this position may be filled before 6 th Sept. Send to [email protected]

📌 Cafe Lead for Purpose (Sydney)
🏢 The Freedom Hub
📍 Sydney