Cafe Manager - 36095

retailexternalfollett; Illinois; On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Follett Higher Education campus cafe in Illinois is seeking a role to manage the cafe department, supervise staff, and ensure a great customer experience with hands-on food and beverage preparation following safety standards.

The position requires working under health regulations, collaborating with store management on promotions and inventory, and standing for extended periods with strong customer service abilities. Prior cafe/food service experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• 0-3 years of relevant experience.
• High School Degree or equivalent.
• Ability to safely operate food service equipment.
• Ability to stand for up to two hours at any given time.
• Ability to safely operate coffee equipment as necessary.
• Previous experience in a coffee shop, food service, café environment (preferred).

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.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Self-motivation

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Position Overview

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.

• 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
• Previous experience in a coffee shop, food service, café environment (preferred)
• 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.
• Computer literacy desired
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb, kneel and bend.