Cafe Manager

Thewhistlingkettle; City of Troy (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Free food & snacks

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Job summary

The Whistling Kettle is seeking a motivated Manager to assist owners and the kitchen manager in day-to-day operations of a Whistling Kettle restaurant across Troy, Ballston Spa and Schenectady. You will supervise the front-of-house team and ensure guest experiences meet our high standards of food, beverage, cleanliness, and service.

This role requires weekend availability, strong organizational skills, and the ability to train and schedule staff.

Qualifications

• Must be available weekends (both Saturday and Sunday).
• Organization, planning, and time management with initiative to handle unexpected issues.
• Ability to read POS screens, email, and basic office software.
• Ability to lead and provide clear direction and feedback to staff.
• Professional demeanor and calm problem solving under pressure.
• Independent judgment with a creative approach to responses.
• Accurate completion of paperwork and reports.

Responsibilities

• Provides on-going coaching and appropriate progressive discipline to Team Members.
• Manages documentation and clarifies performance levels for staff.
• Supervises day-to-day operations to meet Whistling Kettle standards during each shift.
• Delivers orientation and training per company systems and manuals for new hires.
• Constructs weekly schedules to meet business demands.
• Oversees cleaning and maintenance to align with standards.
• Communicates with owners and management to share information and prevent surprises.
• Ensures familiarity with safety, health, and sanitation rules and compliance.
• Opens/closes the kitchen as needed.
• Plays multi-role support (tea tender, cashier, expo, greeter).

Skills

Weekend availability

Organizational skills

POS literacy

People management

Communication

Customer service

Tools

POS systems

Email

Spreadsheets

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)


• 401(k) matching


• Free food & snacks


• Health insurance


• Paid time off


• Training & development

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. This position includes travel to our various locations - Troy, Ballston Spa & Schenectady. You'll be in regular contact with founders to help support you in any way possible!

Position Summary

The primary duty of the Manager is to assist the owners and kitchen manager in the day-to-day operations of a Whistling Kettle restaurant. The 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 kitchen


• Performs effectively in all positions (tea tender, cashier, expo, greeter)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be available weekends (both Saturday and Sunday)


• 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

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