Canopy Cafe Manager

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is seeking a Café Manager to oversee the Canopy Café's daily operations, ensuring guests have a positive experience within a museum nonprofit setting.

Responsibilities include menu planning, on-site catering, food and beverage service, inventory management, and adherence to food safety standards. The role collaborates with the Education Department and reports to the Associate Events and Sales Director.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience in food service operations.
• Current ServSafe Manager and RAMP Certification or ability to obtain them.
• Background checks completed before start date.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily Canopy Café operations with staff supervision.
• Coordinate café menus, food preparation, and service management.
• Procure and order food, beverages, and supplies to maintain inventory.
• Oversee alcohol inventory with Beverage Coordinator as needed.
• Prepare food orders from guest tickets and ensure timely service.
• Maintain health inspections and food safety/hygiene standards.
• Use Clover POS for transactions and payments.
• Collaborate with Education Department on programs and activities.

Skills

Food service

Dietary restrictions

Menu knowledge

Communication

Problem solving

People management

Reliability

Detail orientation

Independent work

Teamwork

Mission-driven

CPR certification

First aid training

Education

Bachelor's degree

Culinary certificate

ServSafe Manager

RAMP Certification

Tools

Clover POS

Job description

Description

The Café Manager oversees daily operations of the Canopy Café, ensuring guests have a positive experience. This role handles such tasks as everyday tasks such as onsite catering, menu planning, and food and beverage service within a museum nonprofit environment. The Café Manager reports to the Associate Events and Sales Director and collaborates with other staff to support Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s (PBG) mission and enhance visitor experiences.

Essential Functions

• Manage the daily operations of the Canopy Café, including staff supervision and onsite catering.
• Coordinate and oversee café menus, including food preparation, production, and service management.
• Procure and order all essential food, beverage, and supply items to ensure sufficient inventory.
• Coordinate with the Associate Director of Events & Sales and the Beverage Coordinator regarding alcohol inventory and upcoming requirements for Canopy Café.
• Prepare food orders in the kitchen according to guest tickets, meticulously ensuring they are served on time, accurately, and with close attention to detail while remaining attentive and responsive to customer requests.
• Review daily usage logs to ensure production levels are accurate, and adjust as needed.
• Oversee the receipt and storage of food deliveries, ensuring proper dating and rotation of all food containers as needed.
• Consistently uphold strict housekeeping standards across the entire kitchen, including the range, freezers, and all front-of-house and back-of-house reach-in refrigerators.
• Take food and beverage orders and process payments, showcasing strong money-handling skills.
• Use the Clover POS system to handle transactions quickly and accurately.
• Oversee health inspections and maintain continuous adherence to food safety and hygiene standards.
• Follow and uphold PBG’s Customer Service guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinate culinary programs and activities with the Education Department.
• Carry out additional tasks as needed to help support Garden operations.

Requirements

• Experienced food service professional knowledgeable about the entire spectrum of food equipment and its mechanical functions.
• Well-versed in dietary restrictions and menu ingredients, capable of advising guests and staff effectively.
• Courteous and diplomatic communicator who maintains a friendly attitude when engaging with guests, staff, and vendors.
• Collaborative problem-solver who shows creativity and good judgment when handling everyday operational issues.
• Skilled people manager adept at handling multiple tasks and priorities efficiently in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.
• Dependable and self-driven professional capable of working independently, handling pressure, and meeting deadlines.
• Detail-oriented team member eager to learn and adapt.
• Comfortable working both independently and within a team setting.
• Dedicated professional passionate about supporting the mission and purpose of the Garden.
• CPR certification and first aid training are a plus.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has direct supervision of Canopy Café staff and may also include oversight of seasonal, part-time, and volunteer staff supporting café operations.

Education and Experience

• Candidates must have at least three to five years of experience in food service operations.
• An equivalent mix of education and relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree and culinary certificate.
• Current ServSafe Manager and RAMP Certification, or the ability to obtain them, is required.
• Completing all necessary background checks before the start date.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on Garden operating needs; note that the Canopy Café is closed on Mondays.
• Duties are mainly carried out indoors, with some tasks requiring occasional outdoor work.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be capable of standing for long periods and working in all weather conditions.

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.