Cafe Manager - 36095

Campus Auxiliary Services; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Follett Higher Education is seeking a cafe department lead to report to the Store Manager, overseeing staffing, performance, and hands-on guidance for a great customer experience. The role may involve food/beverage prep and ensures cleanliness and safety per regulations.

You will prepare beverages and food, follow recipes, train the team, and partner with campus groups for promotions while maintaining food safety and inventory controls.

Qualifications

• 0-3 years of relevant experience.
• High School Degree or equivalent.
• Ability to safely operate food service equipment as necessary.
• Ability to stand for up to two or more hours at any given time.
• Ability to safely operate coffee equipment as necessary.
• Detail-orientation in performing accurate transactions.
• Self-motivated and multi-tasks with minimal supervision.
• Proactively meets both internal and external customer needs.
• Effective communication skills—clear, concise, and positive.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours.
• Food handler certificate required (Food Service sanitation and safety and local requirements).

Responsibilities

• Provides strong customer service in all aspects of café operations.
• Maintains a calm demeanor during periods of high volume or unusual events to keep operating to standard, and sets positive examples for the shift team.
• Anticipates customer and department needs by constantly evaluating the environment and customers for cues.
• Prepares quality beverages and food products consistently for all customers by adhering to all recipe and presentation standards.
• Thoroughly follows health, safety, and sanitation guidelines for all products.
• Maintains a clean environment for food preparation.
• Acts as subject matter expert for the preparation of food and beverages.
• Builds key partnerships with store management and campus organizations for promotional opportunities, special events, and off-site sales opportunities.
• Initiates activities to adhere to established guidelines and promotional programs.
• Ensures merchandise is managed in accordance with company policies and management directives.
• Assists in efforts to ensure general store operational standards are achieved through daily activities.
• Partners with the Store Manager to execute promotions and sales, and ensure proper inventory levels based on sales and trends.
• Analyzes financial reports, processes purchase orders, and approves invoices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Staff supervision

Food safety

Detail oriented

Food service equipment

Education

High School Degree or equivalent

Food handler certificate

Job description

Reporting to the Store Manager, this role manages the cafe department, including staffing, managing performance, providing hands‑on technical and functional guidance, and providing a great customer experience. May be responsible for the preparation of food and beverages on a daily basis while maintaining cleanliness and other food safety standards. This position requires the ability to keep and maintain a clean and sanitary work environment. Executes all aspects of the role while following local, state, and federal guidelines for food preparation and safety.

Responsibilities

• Provides strong customer service in all aspects of café operations.
• Maintains a calm demeanor during periods of high volume or unusual events to keep operating to standard, and sets positive examples for the shift team.
• Anticipates customer and department needs by constantly evaluating the environment and customers for cues. Communicates information to the manager so that the team can respond as necessary to create a quality customer environment during each shift.
• Prepares quality beverages and food products consistently for all customers by adhering to all recipe and presentation standards.
• Thoroughly follows health, safety, and sanitation guidelines for all products.
• Maintains a clean environment for food preparation.
• Acts as subject matter expert for the preparation of food and beverages.
• Builds key partnerships with store management and campus organizations for promotional opportunities, special events, and off‑site sales opportunities.
• Initiates activities to adhere to established guidelines and promotional programs.
• Ensures merchandise is managed in accordance with company policies and management directives. Ensures pricing and inventory integrity and executes Home Office initiated markups and markdowns.
• Assists in efforts to ensure general store operational standards are achieved through daily activities (shipping/receiving, inventory, housekeeping, compliance with Health Department regulations, etc.).
• Partners with the Store Manager to execute promotions and sales, and ensure proper inventory levels based on sales and trends. Analyzes financial reports, processes purchase orders, and approves invoices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Follett Higher Education is a drug‑free workplace environment.

Requirements

• 0-3 years of relevant experience
• High School Degree or equivalent
• Ability to safely operate food service equipment as necessary
• Ability to stand for up to two or more hours at any given time.
• Ability to safely operate coffee equipment as necessary
• Detail-orientation in performing accurate transactions
• Self‑motivated and multi‑tasks with minimal supervision
• Proactively meets both internal and external customer needs.
• Effective work methods and consistently meets commitments
• Effective communication skills-- clear, concise, and positive.
• A food handler certificate -- should include Food Service sanitation and safety as well as local requirements.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb, kneel and bend.

Pay Range

$12.00 - $31.54 / hour

Pay Transparency

The annual salary/hourly rate range has been established based on the role, experience, skill set, and location. The exact starting salary/hourly rate within the range will depend on the role and the local market. This position may be eligible to participate in one of the Company’s incentive plans. The amount of any incentive payment varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, 401(k) plan, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable policies and plan documents.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Follett Higher Education is a drug‑free workplace environment.

If you are an internal team member and need assistance with the application process please forward all inquiries to Ask HR or call 1.844.324.4748 (HR4U)

If you are an external applicant and need assistance with the application process please contact our virtual assistant, Tally. She will respond to your inquires directly and/or direct you to the right person. You can also call 1.877.888.7887 or email [e-mail]