Assistant Manager – Soft Play

Assistant Manager – Little Kingdom & Café Utopia

Reports to: Soft Play & Café Manager

Location: Newport

Department: Operations

Hours: Full-time, Part-time including weekends and school holidays

About the Role

We're looking for a proactive, hands-on Assistant Manager to help lead Newport's most exciting family destinations — Little Kingdom Soft Play and Café Utopia.

You'll support the daily running of both venues, working alongside the Soft Play & Café Manager to deliver outstanding customer experiences, maintain high safety standards, and create a fun, welcoming environment for families.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys variety — one moment you'll be on the soft play floor ensuring smooth sessions, and the next you'll be in the café supporting staff, overseeing service, or greeting customers. If you're driven, organised, and thrive in a fast-paced setting, this role offers the chance to grow your management career within a dynamic, community-focused business.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Support the Manager in the smooth day-to-day running of Little Kingdom and Café Utopia.
• Take responsibility for opening and closing both venues, ensuring safety and readiness for trade.
• Act as Duty Manager in the absence of the Manager, leading by example and maintaining high standards.
• Ensure both venues operate efficiently and in line with company procedures.

2. Team Supervision & Development

• Support, motivate, and guide a team of Soft Play Team Members and Café Staff
• Lead by example to create a positive, customer-focused culture.
• Assist with staff training, inductions, and on-the-job coaching to develop skills and confidence.
• Help coordinate rotas, ensuring effective coverage across both venues during peak hours.
• Work closely with the Manager to identify areas for team improvement and training needs.

3. Customer Experience

• Be a visible and approachable presence on the floor — ensuring every family feels welcome, safe, and valued.
• Handle customer enquiries, feedback, and complaints calmly and professionally.
• Support the delivery of birthday parties, events, and private hires, ensuring smooth coordination and memorable experiences.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote special offers and seasonal activities.

4. Café Operations (Café Utopia)

• Support café operations — from supervising service flow to helping prepare drinks and food during busy times.
• Ensure the café remains clean, well-stocked, and compliant with hygiene and allergen procedures.
• Support stock control, deliveries, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Assist with daily till management, cashing up, and end-of-day reporting.

5. Soft Play Operations (Little Kingdom)

• Oversee floor supervision and safety within the soft play area.
• Conduct and record daily checks, ensuring play equipment and facilities meet health and safety standards.
• Support maintenance reporting and cleaning routines to ensure a spotless environment.
• Uphold safeguarding and first aid protocols, escalating any concerns appropriately.

6. Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety and cleanliness across both venues.
• Ensure health & safety, safeguarding, and food hygiene procedures are followed at all times.
• Assist in regular inspections, staff briefings, and record-keeping to maintain compliance.
• Report incidents or maintenance issues promptly to the Manager or central management.

7. Commercial Awareness

• Support marketing, upselling, and community engagement initiatives.
• Help track performance data such as sales, bookings, and customer feedback.
• Contribute ideas to enhance the customer experience and boost revenue.
• Take pride in ensuring both venues meet commercial and quality standards.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Previous experience in a managerial, supervisory or team leader role within hospitality, leisure, soft play, or food service.
• Strong communication and leadership skills — confident in managing a team and interacting with the public.
• Understanding of food hygiene, health & safety, and safeguarding responsibilities.
• A calm and positive approach under pressure.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.

• Enhanced DBS

• Desirable

• Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene Level 2 (or willingness to complete).
• Experience managing events or parties.
• Familiarity with tills, booking systems, or app-based ordering.

Why Join Us

At Little Kingdom and Café Utopia, every day is different. You'll be part of a passionate team creating a safe, joyful space where families can relax and children can play.

We invest in our people — offering training, progression opportunities to help you develop your career in leisure and hospitality management.

If you're someone who thrives on teamwork, community spirit, and delivering exceptional customer experiences, this is the perfect role to take your next step.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £13.00-£15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• Are you available to work weekends?

Experience:

• Supervising: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• DBS (required)

Work Location: In person