Cafe Manager

COMPLETE PLAYGROUND INC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Training & development

Wellness resources

Job summary

Complete Playground Inc. seeks an experienced Cafe Manager to oversee all facets of Complete Cafe’s operations in New York.

You will drive FOH and BOH execution, maintain food safety standards, and ensure fast, accurate service during peak family play hours and private events. You will lead line staff, manage inventory and labor, and utilize our interactive ordering tech and POS systems to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Restaurant Management experience in a high-volume setting.
• NYC Food Protection Course Certificate required; CPR/First Aid preferred.
• Strong background in managing high-volume event catering or banquets.
• Hands-on leadership with multitasking across FOH/BOH.
• Ability to work peak weekend hours and select evenings.
• Tech-savvy with modern POS and ordering platforms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across kitchen, counter, tables, and pickup/delivery.
• Maintain rapid ticket times and food quality during peak hours.
• Manage interactive dining tables tech and train staff to assist guests.
• Enforce DOHMH sanitation and safety protocols.
• Partner with Events Team for weekend party catering.
• Control costs and optimize labor scheduling.

Skills

Restaurant management

High-volume operations

Team leadership

POS systems

Inventory management

Scheduling

Food safety

Education

NYC Food Protection Course Certificate

Tools

POS systems

Digital ordering platforms

Kitchen display systems

Job description

Benefits:

Employee discounts

Training & development

Wellness resources

Job Title: Complete Cafe Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, high-energy Restaurant Manager to oversee day-to-day culinary and dining operations at Complete Cafe. The primary focus of this role is operational excellence: maintaining seamless front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) execution, upholding strict food safety standards, driving kitchen speed and accuracy during peak family rush hours, and delivering top-tier catering for our high-volume birthday parties and private event buyouts.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on hospitality leader who thrives in a dynamic, family-centric environment, excels at inventory and labor management, and possesses the technical savvy to leverage our interactive ordering tech and POS systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence & Floor Management
• Maintain flawless daily operations across kitchen execution, counter service, table service, and pickup/delivery orders.
• Ensure rapid ticket times and high food quality during high-volume weekend open-play rushes and party meal shifts.
• Oversee the operation and guest experience of our interactive digital dining tables, ensuring tech is functional and staff are trained to assist guests.
• Enforce strict cleanliness, sanitation, and safety protocols adhering to NYC Department of Health (DOHMH) standards.

Event Catering & Party Integration

• Partner closely with the Playground Events Team to schedule, prepare, and execute seamless party catering for dozens of weekend birthday celebrations.
• Manage inventory and prep schedules for large-scale catering platters, custom party food packages, and beverage services.
• Ensure strict adherence to dietary restriction protocols (allergy awareness, gluten-free, dairy-free options) to safeguard all guests.

Financial & Business Management

• Manage Food & Beverage (F&B) cost controls, vendor relationships, purchasing, and weekly inventory counts to minimize waste.
• Optimize labor costs through strategic scheduling aligned with playground foot-traffic patterns, party calendars, and peak hours.
• Monitor cafe KPIs, daily sales reports, average check size, and delivery platform performance.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Hire, train, schedule, and mentor cafe staff, barista/cashiers, and line cooks.
• Foster a warm, empathetic, and inclusive customer service culture that aligns with Complete Playground’s values toward neurodivergent children and families.
• Lead by example on the floor during peak hours, stepping in to support the kitchen or front counter whenever necessary.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of Restaurant Management experience in a high-volume, fast-casual, family entertainment, or multi-faceted hospitality setting.
• Certifications: Valid NYC Food Protection Course Certificate required; CPR/First Aid certification preferred.
• Catering Experience: Strong background in managing high-volume event catering or banquets.
• Leadership Style: Hands-on leader with exceptional multi-tasking skills and a cool head during high-energy peak times.
• Availability: Must be able to work peak weekend hours (Saturday & Sunday), holidays, and select evenings during private buyouts.
• Tech-Savvy: Comfortable operating modern POS systems, digital ordering platforms, and troubleshooting floor technology.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary + performance incentives.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and health insurance options.
• Complimentary employee shift meals and playground perks for immediate family.
• Opportunity to lead a unique culinary concept within a mission-driven, expanding organization.