Store Manager Dark Horse - London, Ontario

Big League Food Company Retail Inc.; London; On-site; CAD 1,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering coffee brand as a Cafe Manager, where you will lead a dynamic team to deliver an exceptional cafe experience. This role is perfect for those passionate about coffee and hospitality, eager to foster a positive environment while driving business success. You will engage with the local community, manage operations, and ensure top-notch service, all within a vibrant and supportive atmosphere. If you thrive in fast-paced settings and are committed to personal growth and team development, this opportunity is your chance to shine in a beloved brand's expansion.

Benefits

Corporate Benefits

Gratuities from Customers

Room for Growth

Fast-Paced Environment

Qualifications

• Management experience in cafes or restaurants is essential.
• Strong leadership and customer service skills are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing cafe team focused on customer experience.
• Manage financial performance and optimize inventory effectively.

Skills

Team Leadership

Customer Service

Inventory Management

Financial Performance Management

Hospitality Software Proficiency

Communication Skills

Education

Management Experience in Cafes or Restaurants

Tools

POS Systems

Scheduling Software

Purchasing Systems

Job description

About the organization

Dark Horse Espresso Bar is a pioneer in the Toronto specialty coffee community and has become a hotspot attracting those who like great coffee, handmade pastries, and a comfortable environment. Dark Horse is a place where they could come to relax, reflect or socialize, and re-energize with seriously great coffee. Over the past 15 years, we have evolved from one beloved neighborhood cafe to a collection of six shops in vibrant neighborhoods across the city.

About the Position

The Dark Horse Store/Cafe Manager is at the core of our cafe experience. Building a successful cafe, rooted in the Dark Horse Espresso Bar Cafe and Experience. The Manager works closely with the Barista team, and Dark Horse Management to maintain an incredible employee and cafe guest experience, a profitable and growing business and the absolute highest quality of coffee. Candidates must possess a strong business sense, natural hospitality and have outstanding team leadership soft-skills. The successful candidate will be excited at the chance to grow a coffee focused hospitality business and embrace the challenges that come along with it.

Working Conditions

The Manager will report to Dark Horse’s Management team. The Manager is expected to work full time hours (40-44 hours/week). This store will be inside Chapters location at 1037 Wellington Rd Unit 2, London, ON N6E 1W4.

Responsibilities

• Learn and embody the core values of the Dark Horse Brand; Authentic, Inclusive, Genuine and Curious. Find your place and build your career as Toronto’s original specialty cafe expands to your region.

• Build an incredible team that delivers our Cafe Experience. Hiring, training and oversight of the team is the primary objective of this position. Create a positive, inclusive and high performing environment for both your team and customers.

• With support from the HR and Dark Horse Management team, hiring, onboarding, training, evaluations and promotions.

• Engage with both the local community and coffee aficionados as an ambassador with a focus on building positive relationships and enhancing the Dark Horse brand.

• Manage financial performance by growing top line sales and controlling key cost categories (primarily, labor and waste).

• Oversee all ordering, inventory management, storage and display related functions in a manner that optimizes waste and top-line sales.

• Personally deliver outstanding customer service and ensure that all staff members understand the importance of customer service.

• Understand Dark Horse’s product offering with a specific focus on coffee related knowledge.

• Execute Dark Horse payroll process including cash management, store cleanliness, ordering, scheduling and payroll systems, food safety, health & safety, hiring and make recommendations as to how these systems can be refined and improved.

• Act as store-level owner and by troubleshooting issues, filling-in on the floor and supporting when issues arise as necessary.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Management level experience in cafes or quick service restaurants directly serving customers and leading teams.

• Experience managing inventory and balancing quality and cost effectively.

• Well-developed personal brand and a proven ability to build relationships across an industry or sector; connections in Toronto coffee a plus.

• Comfortable with key hospitality software including POS, scheduling and purchasing systems.

• Highly accountable and well-organized, with an ability to oversee a team of staff and prioritize multiple projects effectively.

• An insatiable curiosity and willingness to learn, anchored in a constant pursuit of personal development.

• Collaborative and innovative consensus builder that solicits 360-degree feedback and can inspire and influence staff, consumers and other stakeholders.

• A positive ambassador with strong communication skills and a genuine kindness.

Pay and Schedule

• Expected hours: 40-44 hours per week.

• Hourly wage of up to $24 per hour depending on experience.

• Our corporate benefits are available for all supervisory positions.

• This position also participates in gratuities provided by customers in store, according to our tip allocation policy, as well as variable compensation related to the top line success of the store.

What we Offer

A fast-paced environment with plenty of room to learn and grow, while also contributing to a successful and exciting business environment.

Big League Food Company (parent company of Dark Horse Espresso Bar) is the next generation of beloved food brands. Our goal is to maintain the magic of local food brands while building category leaders.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and respect, value and welcome diversity in our workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process. If you are invited to participate in the process and require an accommodation, please let us know in advance.