Café Lead — Startup Team, Hospitality & Ops Leader

Phoenix3 Collective; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Flexible schedule

Free food & snacks

Training & development

Job summary

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is opening a new Bucktown café in Chicago. We’re seeking a passionate Café Lead to support daily operations, develop teammates, and uphold quality and hospitality standards under the General Manager.

As part of the opening team, you’ll help set team culture, train new hires, manage schedules, and ensure excellent guest experiences from opening to close. Prior café leadership, strong coffee knowledge, and food safety awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Leadership or supervisory experience in cafe/hospitality.
• Strong knowledge of specialty coffee and daily cafe operations.
• Experience training, coaching, and supporting team members.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to delegate, provide constructive feedback, and lead by example.
• Availability for early mornings, weekends, or holidays.
• Food safety certification or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the General Manager to support daily cafe operations and lead the team.
• Lead, coach, and develop Shift Leads and Teammates with hands-on training and feedback.
• Deliver warm hospitality and memorable guest experiences.
• Oversee inventory, opening/closing procedures, and waste reduction.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Food safety

Availability

Education

Food safety certification

Job description

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is opening a new Bucktown café in Chicago. We’re seeking a passionate Café Lead to support daily operations, develop teammates, and uphold quality and hospitality standards under the General Manager.

As part of the opening team, you’ll help set team culture, train new hires, manage schedules, and ensure excellent guest experiences from opening to close. Prior café leadership, strong coffee knowledge, and food safety awareness are essential.