Cafe Manager + Lead Barista

Urban Juncture Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Forum Cafe in Chicago is seeking an experienced cafe manager to lead front-of-house and back-of-house operations, develop the menu, recruit and train a small team, and host community events aligned with Forum Cafe's culture-forward ethos.

The ideal candidate has several years in hospitality, strong coffee and beverage crafting skills, and a collaborative leadership style. This role focuses on delivering exceptional customer experiences while growing a local hub for arts and culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum several years in hospitality with 1+ year in management.
• ANSI/ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.
• Strong leadership and teamwork.
• Experience in marketing, events, and community engagement is a plus.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, pre-opening environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop menu, establish processes, recruit/train staff, plan opening events.
• Oversee beverage service, manage register, train staff for warm service.
• Supervise food prep and bus service, ensure quality and safety.
• Collaborate with team to craft community-inspired menu.
• Plan marketing strategies and host events to build local hub.
• Maintain equipment, inventory, and cost-effective stock.
• Lead, train, and motivate a diverse, inclusive team.
• Ensure daily operations, scheduling, budgeting, health/safety compliance.

Skills

Barista expertise

Team leadership

Customer service

Operations management

Marketing and events

Community engagement

Communication

Problem solving

Education

ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification

Tools

POS system

Job description

Forum Cafe, 318 East 43rd Street, Chicago!

We are seeking a passionate and experienced cafe professional to work with the owner, members of the broader Forum team, and other stakeholders to establish, operate, and grow a culture-centric enterprise that will be at the heart of the revitalization of The Forum. The Cafe will be operated by a team of 2-4, depending on time and event, and the Manager will oversee both front-of-house (coffee, tea, beverage service, and register) and back-of-house (food prep and bus service) operations, while leading beverage service. The ideal candidate is a team-oriented leader with several years of hospitality experience, deep skills in crafting beverages, a commitment to collaboration, and a passion for community engagement. They will play a key role in shaping the cafe’s offering, delivering beverages, managing the Cafe team and operations, and curating events to bring our vision to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Help develop the Cafe’s menu, complete fit-out, establish operating processes, recruit and train team members, and develop opening events.
• Oversee coffee, tea, and beverage service, ensuring exceptional customer experiences. Manage register operations and train staff to deliver warm, professional service.
• Supervise food preparation, maintain high standards of quality and safety, and oversee bus service for a seamless dining experience.
• Collaborate with the Urban Juncture team to create a unique, community-inspired menu that reflects Forum Cafe’s culture-forward ethos.
• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Craft and sell high quality coffee, tea and specialty beverages by following prescribed recipes and preparation techniques
• Manage inventory, source high-quality ingredients from local and sustainable vendors, and maintain cost-effective stock levels.
• Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote the cafe. Plan and host events, such as cultural programs, workshops, or community gatherings, to position Forum Cafe as a local hub.
• Enhance cafe reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; recommending opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Ensure smooth daily operations, including scheduling, budgeting, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Manage the backend of the point of sale system
• Serve as the face of Forum Cafe, building strong relationships with customers and embodying the cafe’s values of community and culture.
• Follow through on an exceptional customer experience by presenting drink recommendations and an interactive and positive experience.
• Lead, train, and motivate a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Drive sales through engagement of customers, suggestive selling, and product knowledge.
• Create schedules to provide adequate shift coverage with appropriate experience levels.
• Improve quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; recommending solutions; maintaining the appearance of the cafe.
• Other roles as needed to ensure success of the Forum Cafe.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in a hospitality role, with deep experience as a barista and at least 1 year in a management position.
• Current ANSI/ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.
• Basic math skills
• Background in food sourcing, inventory management, and menu development.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Passion for coffee, food, and creating memorable guest experiences.
• Experience in marketing, event planning, and community engagement is a plus.
• Deep connection to community and a culture-forward mindset.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, pre-opening environment, to take initiative, and to execute plans to contribute to the cafe’s vision.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the Manager is frequently required to stand, walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Requires ability to climb stairs, prolonged sitting, standing, bending, stooping and stretching, requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports. Primary work hours will be between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. Monday through Friday at the Forum Cafe.

Why Lead Forum Cafe?

As the Forum Cafe Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a one-of-a-kind enterprise within the historic Forum complex. You’ll work in a creative, community-driven environment where your passion for food, culture, and hospitality can shine, and you’ll be part of building a space that brings people together and leaves a lasting impact on our community.

Forum Cafe is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.