Assistant Café Manager

Brass Bird Coffee; Carpinteria (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen in Carpinteria, CA is seeking an Assistant Café Manager to support daily operations, lead the floor, and uphold our standards of hospitality and guest care.

The role is floor-based, collaborative with the Café Manager, and involves stepping into barista or cashier roles as needed to ensure smooth service and a welcoming atmosphere for every guest.

Qualifications

• Experience in café, restaurant or hospitality required.
• Previous shift-lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and hospitality.
• Ability to lead, organize and communicate clearly.
• Able to work flexible schedule including mornings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Support the Café Manager with daily operations and admin tasks.
• Lead the café floor, keep service organized and welcoming.
• Set tone for exceptional customer service and hospitality.
• Greet guests, build relationships and ensure guest satisfaction.
• Respond to concerns, resolve complaints and fix order errors.
• Direct staff during shifts and maintain productivity.
• Ensure recipes, procedures and standards followed.
• Monitor food and beverage quality and presentation.
• Maintain a clean, stocked café.
• Manage opening/closing and shift checklists.
• Communicate staffing and maintenance concerns to Café Manager.
• Step into barista, cashier roles when needed.
• Support training and development.
• Create positive team-oriented workplace.
• Assist with other café responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Team supervision

Job description

Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen – Carpinteria, CA

Starting pay: $23 per hour plus tips

Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen is looking for a warm, dependable and hands‑on Assistant Café Manager to help lead our Carpinteria café. This position is ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys hospitality, works well in a fast‑paced environment and knows how to keep a team focused while ensuring every guest feels welcomed and cared for.

The Assistant Café Manager will work closely with the Café Manager to support daily operations, lead the floor and maintain Brass Bird’s standards for service, cleanliness, food and beverage quality, and hospitality. This is an active, floor‑based position that requires jumping in wherever needed to keep the café running smoothly.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Café Manager with daily operations and administrative tasks
• Lead the café floor and help keep service organized, efficient and welcoming
• Set the tone for exceptional customer service and genuine hospitality
• Greet guests, build customer relationships and ensure guests leave happy
• Respond to customer concerns, resolve complaints and promptly correct order or service errors
• Direct employees during shifts and make sure everyone remains productive and on task
• Ensure employees follow recipes, service procedures and company standards
• Monitor food and beverage quality, presentation and consistency
• Help maintain a clean, organized and well‑stocked café
• Make sure opening, closing and shift checklists are completed properly
• Monitor employee meal and rest breaks and help ensure they are taken on time
• Support employee training, coaching and ongoing development
• Communicate staffing, service, maintenance and operational concerns to the Café Manager
• Step into barista, cashier, runner or other floor positions when necessary
• Help create a positive, respectful and team‑oriented workplace
• Assist with other café responsibilities as needed

Qualifications

• Previous café, restaurant or hospitality experience required
• Previous shift‑lead or supervisory experience strongly preferred
• A genuine commitment to excellent customer service and hospitality
• Strong communication, organization and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to lead respectfully, provide clear direction and hold employees accountable
• Ability to remain calm and professional when resolving customer or employee concerns
• Dependable, punctual and comfortable taking initiative
• Able to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment
• Available to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, weekends and holidays as needed
• Comfortable standing for extended periods and performing the physical duties of a busy café position
• Food safety certification or willingness to obtain certification
• Spanish‑speaking ability is helpful but not required

Compensation

• Starting wage of $23 per hour
• Eligible to participate in the tip pool; tips currently average approximately $10 per hour, although tips vary and are not guaranteed
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen

About Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen

Brass Bird Coffee & Kitchen is a locally owned café focused on thoughtfully prepared food, quality coffee and warm, genuine hospitality. We believe guests remember how we make them feel, and we are looking for a leader who will help us maintain a welcoming environment for both our customers and our team.