Café Manager: Lead Busy, Community-Focused Café Team

Good Foods Co-op; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Good Foods Co‑op is seeking a Café Manager to lead the café and Deli Buyer, ensuring smooth daily operations, high food quality, and exceptional guest experiences. You will supervise staff, coordinate with department managers, and manage purchasing and inventory to support store goals.

The role emphasizes leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment, with a weekend-friendly schedule and strong commitment to

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in prepared foods, restaurants, food production, culinary operations, or a related food service environment.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, purchasing, inventory management, and food cost control.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Experience with coffee, espresso beverages, smoothies, or made‑to‑order food service is a plus.
• Proficiency with computer applications for scheduling, reporting, ordering, and other administrative responsibilities.
• Commitment to teamwork, exceptional customer service, and cooperative values.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily café operations and supervise café staff and the Deli Buyer.
• Collaborate with other Prepared Foods managers to support department goals.
• Lead daily café operations including made-to-order sandwiches, coffee and espresso drinks, smoothies, and customer service.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, cleanliness, and customer service.
• Monitor sales, labor utilization, purchasing, food costs, and waste to support goals.
• Coordinate café menu offerings, seasonal products, and opportunities to improve sales and satisfaction.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation, equipment maintenance, and compliance with procedures.
• Collaborate with Kitchen Production Manager to coordinate staff assistance with salad bar prep and grab-and-go packaging.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and teamwork in the café.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Operational management

Food safety

Team supervision

Communication

Tools

Scheduling software

Reporting tools

Ordering systems

Job description

Good Foods Co‑op is seeking a Café Manager to lead the café and Deli Buyer, ensuring smooth daily operations, high food quality, and exceptional guest experiences. You will supervise staff, coordinate with department managers, and manage purchasing and inventory to support store goals.

The role emphasizes leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment, with a weekend-friendly schedule and strong commitment to