Cafe Manager

East Side Enterprise; Warwick (RI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Company Matching 401(k) Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Corner Market Café is seeking a hands-on Café Operations Manager to lead daily operations, coach a frontline team, and ensure exceptional guest experiences. The role emphasizes visible leadership, high standards for service, product quality, cleanliness, and safety across all shifts.

You will balance people leadership with operational duties, manage scheduling and inventory, and partner with district leadership to achieve cafe goals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Previous supervisory or management experience in a café, restaurant, convenience retail, hospitality, or customer service environment is preferred.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
• ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to make decisions, prioritize tasks, and solve problems independently.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, interview, train, and retain team members who provide excellent customer service.
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable to company standards.
• Coach employees through performance, service, and operational opportunities.
• Recognize team members and create an environment where employees feel valued and supported.
• Build effective communication and teamwork throughout the café.
• Lead by example through professionalism, urgency, reliability, and a positive attitude.
• Direct daily café activities to ensure efficient and consistent operations.
• Manage employee scheduling, staffing levels, labor, and daily coverage.
• Monitor inventory and ensure appropriate product availability.
• Maintain standards for food preparation, product quality, cleanliness, and sanitation.
• Follow and enforce food safety and workplace safety procedures.
• Monitor cash handling and register procedures.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, shrink, and other controllable expenses.
• Complete required reports, administrative responsibilities, and operational documentation accurately and on time.
• Ensure the café is properly prepared for opening, operating efficiently, and closed according to company standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Problem solving

Team management

ServSafe certification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Potential Bonus Opportunities Available

Based on store volume, location, and experience

In compliance with Massachusetts state law.

Applicants must be 18 years or older

Lead the Team. Run the Café. Create the Experience.

Corner Market Café is seeking a hands-on leader who can bring people together, maintain strong operating standards, and create an environment where both employees and guests feel welcome.

The Café Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day performance of the café and plays a key role in building a dependable, engaged, and service-focused team.

This is an active leadership position for someone who enjoys coaching employees, solving problems, working alongside their team, and keeping operations moving during busy periods.

If you are energized by leadership, enjoy developing people, and take pride in running a successful operation, we want to hear from you.

What We Offer

Our full-time management team receives a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company Matching 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off

About the Position

The Café Operations Manager oversees the daily operation of an assigned Corner Market Café and reports directly to the District Manager.

The position requires a minimum commitment of 45 hours per week across six days.

This manager is expected to be highly visible and involved in the café, leading from the front and setting the standard for customer service, food quality, cleanliness, speed, safety, and teamwork.

The manager will balance people leadership with operational responsibilities and will step into any area of the café when needed to support the team and maintain an efficient guest experience.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Recruit, interview, train, and retain team members who provide excellent customer service
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable to company standards
• Coach employees through performance, service, and operational opportunities
• Recognize team members and create an environment where employees feel valued and supported
• Build effective communication and teamwork throughout the café
• Lead by example through professionalism, urgency, reliability, and a positive attitude
• Address employee concerns and performance issues appropriately and in accordance with company policies
• Direct daily café activities to ensure efficient and consistent operations
• Manage employee scheduling, staffing levels, labor, and daily coverage
• Monitor inventory and ensure appropriate product availability
• Maintain standards for food preparation, product quality, cleanliness, and sanitation
• Follow and enforce food safety and workplace safety procedures
• Monitor cash handling and register procedures
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, shrink, and other controllable expenses
• Complete required reports, administrative responsibilities, and operational documentation accurately and on time
• Ensure the café is properly prepared for opening, operating efficiently throughout the day, and closed according to company standards

Guest Experience & Sales

• Create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for every guest
• Maintain high standards for service, speed, accuracy, and product presentation
• Respond to customer concerns professionally and work toward appropriate solutions
• Support company promotions, sales programs, and other initiatives
• Encourage team members to deliver consistent and memorable guest experiences
• Participate in community and store engagement opportunities when applicable

This is not a desk-only management position. The Café Operations Manager is expected to actively support the operation by:

• Assisting at the register during busy periods
• Helping with food and beverage preparation
• Restocking products and supplies
• Supporting cleaning and organization
• Assisting guests and resolving service issues
• Providing additional coverage when staffing needs require it
• Stepping into other café functions to keep service running smoothly

Partnership with District Leadership

• Work closely with the District Manager to achieve company goals
• Communicate operational challenges and opportunities
• Follow company policies, procedures, and initiatives
• Implement direction from district and company leadership
• Take ownership of café performance and follow through on assigned action items

What We're Looking For

Candidates should have:

• A high school diploma or equivalent experience preferred
• Previous supervisory or management experience in a café, restaurant, convenience retail, hospitality, or customer service environment preferred
• The ability to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening
• ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• The ability to make decisions, prioritize tasks, and solve problems independently

Leadership Qualities We Value

The strongest candidates will:

• Lead with a positive attitude and professional presence
• Build genuine relationships with employees and guests
• Motivate people while maintaining clear expectations
• Communicate directly, respectfully, and consistently
• Remain composed and productive during high-volume periods
• Take ownership of results and follow through on commitments
• Balance speed and urgency with attention to detail
• Recognize problems and take action rather than waiting to be directed
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, quality, safety, and service
• Be organized and capable of managing several priorities at once
• Welcome coaching and continuously look for ways to improve

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This is an active, hands-on management position. The manager must be able to:

• Regularly lift and carry items weighing 50 pounds or more
• Stand and remain active for extended periods
• Bend, stoop, reach, lift, and perform repetitive movements throughout the workday
• Perform repeated hand and arm movements for extended periods
• Safely operate and work around kitchen and café equipment
• Use the manual dexterity necessary to perform food preparation and other operational tasks
• Safely work with cleaning products, chemicals, and workplace equipment
• Move throughout a fast-paced café environment and work in confined areas when necessary
• Perform physical duties associated with stocking, cleaning, food preparation, cashiering, and general café operations

Our Workplace Standards

We expect our leaders to set the example for a positive, respectful, and professional workplace. Employees and managers are expected to communicate appropriately and maintain effective working relationships with customers, coworkers, management, vendors, and other business partners.

Corner Market Café is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected status.

This job description describes the general nature and scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every responsibility, duty, or requirement that may be assigned.