Cafe Manager

COMPLETE PLAYGROUND INC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary + incentives

PTO & health insurance options

Complimentary employee meals

Opportunity to lead a unique culinary/

Job summary

COMPLETE PLAYGROUND INC. is seeking an experienced Restaurant Manager to oversee day-to-day culinary and dining operations at Complete Cafe. The role focuses on operational excellence, enforcing safety standards, and delivering top-tier catering for high-volume parties.

The ideal candidate will lead FOH/BOH, manage inventory and labor, and leverage POS and digital ordering platforms to optimize service during peak periods. Must be hands-on, with strong leadership and guest service skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Restaurant Management in a high-volume setting.
• NYC Food Protection Course Certificate required; CPR/First Aid cert preferred.
• Catering experience with large-scale events.
• Hands-on leader capable of multitasking during peak hours.
• Availability for peak weekend hours, holidays, and select evenings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen and FOH operations, ensuring fast ticket times and quality.
• Coordinate catering for in-house events and group bookings; manage prep schedules and inventory.
• Control F&B costs, vendor relationships, and weekly inventory; optimize labor costs.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-tasking

Customer service

Tools

POS systems

Digital ordering

Floor technology

Job description

Job Description

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.

1. 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.

2. Event Catering & Party Integration

• Partner with the Events Team to oversee the preparation and timely delivery of catering orders for in-house events, ensuring a seamless experience for birthday parties, school trips, and other group bookings.


• 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.