Cafe Operations Lead: Customer Experience & Food Safety

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

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.