Café Manager - Barista experience necessary

Manteiga; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Manteiga is a Portuguese-inspired café and restaurant in Darlinghurst. We’re looking for an experienced Café Manager to lead the team from the floor, run service and work alongside staff when things get busy, with strong barista skills to dial in espresso and maintain quality.

You will manage workflow, train baristas, and ensure hospitality standards are met, while fostering a positive team culture that keeps guests returning.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of barista experience.
• Ability to dial in espresso, adjust grinders and texture milk.
• Natural leader who can direct the team.
• Organised, reliable and calm under pressure.
• Willing to get hands dirty and uphold hospitality details.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the café.
• Manage the floor and keep service running smoothly.
• Lead, motivate and support FOH and barista team.
• Work on the coffee machine as part of regular service.
• Maintain high coffee and service standards.
• Train and develop baristas and FOH staff.
• Manage workflow, breaks and staff positioning during service.
• Oversee opening and closing procedures.
• Monitor stock and assist with ordering.
• Handle customer feedback professionally.

Skills

Barista experience

Coffee knowledge

Leadership

Organisation

Calm under pressure

Job description

Manteiga is looking for an experienced Café Manager who knows great hospitality, great coffee and how to lead from the floor. This is a hands-on management position — you'll be leading the team, running service and working alongside them when things get busy. Strong barista experience is essential. You should be completely comfortable jumping behind the machine, dialling in, managing workflow and producing consistently excellent coffee.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the day-to-day operation of the café
• Managing the floor and keeping service running smoothly
• Leading, motivating and supporting FOH and barista team
• Working on the coffee machine as part of regular service
• Maintaining consistently high coffee and service standards
• Training and developing baristas and FOH staff
• Managing workflow, breaks and staff positioning during service
• Overseeing opening and closing procedures
• Monitoring stock and assisting with ordering
• Handling customer feedback professionally

About you

• Solid barista experience and excellent coffee knowledge (minimum 3 years experience)
• Can confidently dial in espresso, adjust grinders and texture milk
• Natural leader who can give direction without losing the team
• Organised, reliable and calm under pressure
• High standards but willing to get your hands dirty
• Understand that great hospitality is in the details

About us

Manteiga is a Portuguese-inspired café and restaurant in Darlinghurst. We care about quality food, great coffee and warm, genuine hospitality. We're looking for a manager who wants to take ownership of the café, build a strong team culture and help us deliver the kind of experience that keeps people coming back.