Cafe Manager

Complete Playground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary + performance

PTO & health insurance options

Shift meals & family perks

Mission-driven growth opportunity

Job summary

Complete Cafe Manager for Complete Playground leads day-to-day cafe operations in a high-volume, family-friendly venue. You will drive operational excellence across FOH/BOH, manage catering for parties, and optimize labor and costs while upholding safety standards.

Hands-on leader with strong multitasking skills is essential to train staff, improve guest experiences, and leverage POS and digital ordering tech in a dynamic playground setting.

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 catering (high-volume events).
• Hands-on leader with multitasking skills and calm under pressure.
• Availability for peak weekend hours, holidays, and select evenings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain flawless daily operations across kitchen, counter and service channels.
• Oversee catering for birthday parties, school trips, and group bookings.
• Manage food/beverage costs, vendor relations, and weekly inventories.
• Lead, train, and mentor cafe staff and ensure exceptional guest experiences.

Skills

Restaurant Management

High-volume hospitality

Team leadership

Multitasking

Customer service

Education

NYC Food Protection Course Certificate

CPR/First Aid certification

Tools

POS systems

Digital ordering platforms

Floor/tablet tech

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

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.