Cafe Manager

Whistling Kettle; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Employee discounts

Free food & snacks

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

The Whistling Kettle is seeking a motivated General Manager to assist owners and the kitchen manager in daily restaurant operations. You will supervise front-of-house staff—tea tenders, greeters, bussers and cashiers—while upholding food, beverage, and service standards to drive guest satisfaction.

As a manager, you will coach staff, schedule shifts, and maintain training to ensure high-quality service. This role requires weekend availability, leadership in a fast-paced environment, and a

Qualifications

• Strong organization and time management, with the ability to react quickly to unexpected changes.
• Ability to read POS screens, e-mail, spreadsheets and basic office functions.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and provide clear direction and feedback.
• Diplomatically handle difficult situations while maintaining professionalism.
• Ability to handle stress and exercise discretion in decision making.
• Accurately complete paperwork and reports.

Responsibilities

• Coach and discipline team members with progressive steps.
• Maintain clear documentation of performance levels for staff.
• Supervise daily operations to meet Whistling Kettle service standards.
• Provide orientation and training per company systems and manuals.
• Construct weekly schedules to meet business needs.
• Ensure cleaning, maintenance, and side-work duties meet standards.
• Communicate with owners and management to share information and avoid surprises.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and sanitation standards.
• Open and close the store; perform multiple roles as needed (barista, cashier, expo, greeter).

Skills

Organization & time management

POS systems literacy

Interpersonal leadership

Diplomacy under pressure

Stress management

Discretion & judgment

Documentation & reporting

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discounts
• Free food & snacks
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

The Whistling Kettle started in 2004 and continues to set the standard as the premier tea forward restaurant destination. We are seeking motivated, detail oriented and customer service focused individuals to join our management team. You'll be in regular contact with founders to help support you in any way possible!

MUST BE AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS.

Position Summary

The primary duty of the General Manager is to assist the owners and kitchen manager in the day-to-day operations of a Whistling Kettle restaurant. The General Manager is directly accountable for the supervision, organization, and scheduling of the hourly team in the front of house including tea tenders, greeters, bussers and cashiers. This position maintains the highest quality Guest Experience through a dedication to excellence in food, beverage and service standards, cleanliness, sanitation and safety. Success is earning the loyalty of Our People and is measured in real growth in sales, profit and market share, and is the result of implementing the WOW factor of service.

ESSENTIAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides on-going coaching and appropriate progressive discipline to all Team Members
• Managing appropriate documentation and ensure each Team Member has clarity around their current level of performance
• Supervises day-to-day operations to ensure all standards of Whistling Kettle quality and service are achieved during each shift.
• Provides orientation and training according to all Whistling Kettle training systems, standards and manuals for new hires
• Constructs the weekly work schedule to meet the demands of the business.
• Supervises Team Members to ensure that all cleaning, maintenance, housekeeping and side work duties are accomplished in line with operations standards.
• Proactively communicates to owners and other members of the management team to share and convey information regarding the restaurant. Ensures there are no surprises.
• Maintains familiarity with all national, state, and local safety, health, and sanitation standards and ensures all Team Members are following guidelines appropriately.
• Correctly performs all duties necessary to open and close the store
• Performs effectively in all positions (barista, cashier, expo, greeter)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Organization, planning, and time management skills with the ability and initiative to react effectively and quickly to unexpected circumstances
• Ability to read and understand POS screens, e-mail, spreadsheets and basic office functions
• Ability to build positive working relationships and provide clear direction and feedback
• Ability to diplomatically deal with difficult situations and people, while exhibiting a consistent level of professionalism
• Handle stress associated with responding to/solving problems
• Exercise of discretion and independent judgment, as well as a creative approach to formulating responses
• Accurately complete paperwork and reports

AVAILABILITY

• Must be available weekends. Days off are generally coordinated with other managers, but we try to be consistent
• Must be able to travel to other locations

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of one (1) year of restaurant/hospitality experience either managing or co-managing a restaurant/kitchen. Experience should include hiring and firing / scheduling / paperwork and reporting and being the overall leader.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to constantly stand and walk for extended periods of time, at least 8 hours, and traverse all parts of the restaurant quickly
• Must be able to lift, handle, and carry (e.g. food, small wares, equipment, supplies and paper goods) at a minimum of 50 pounds constantly, and up to 100 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to bend, kneel, stoop, reach, and squat on a frequent basis
• Must be able to taste, be able to distinguish between and among flavors, spices, and scents as to their appeal and level of intensity for all food and beverage products
• Must be able to work around changing of schedules, which includes being available to work throughout the day, nights, weekends, and holidays, as required