Coffee Bar Manager

Higher Grounds Trading Co; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Higher Grounds Coffee Bar Manager will lead a busy coffee bar, coaching staff to deliver exceptional customer service and consistent beverage quality. You will schedule shifts, manage inventory, monitor costs, and engage customers with hospitality and product knowledge to drive retail sales.

You will supervise baristas, train staff on HG standards, maintain health and safety compliance, and collaborate with leadership to optimize operations and guest experience while upholding the mission of

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of previous coffee barista experience required; cafe management experience a plus.
• Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions.
• Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of Higher Grounds.
• A passion for specialty coffee and a human-centric approach.
• Ability to utilize computer software and navigate basic computer platforms.
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to collaborate with a team of other staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operation of the Coffee Bar, coaching staff to deliver radical customer service.
• Supervise staff and manage inventory to ensure HG standards are met.
• Create and publish staffing schedules to meet service standards and labor costs.
• Ensure health and safety standards and daily/weekly cleaning schedules.
• Maintain coffee knowledge and promote HG offerings to customers.
• Collaborate with leadership to improve systems, sales strategies, and efficiencies.

Skills

Coffee barista experience

Cafe management experience

Customer service

Multitasking

Integrity

Job description

Reports To: General Manager // FLSA Classification: Nonexempt

Description:

The Coffee Bar Manager is responsible for maintaining the effective and consistent operation of Higher Grounds Coffee Bar. This includes demonstrating and coaching radical customer service, supervising staff, managing inventory, and ensuring we are serving exceptional beverages that meet our standards. The Coffee Bar Manager is a member of the sales team and is expected to consistently support our retail sales through the Coffee Bar.

Lead by example to demonstrate company standards of customer service and interpersonal maturity among the staff.

Exhibit clear enthusiasm for hospitality, thriving on interpersonal interaction to create an inviting and welcoming space in the Coffee Bar.

Ensure all staff are warmly welcoming customers; engaging them sincerely and professionally, talking about their needs and preferences and making suggestions when appropriate.

Create and publish a staffing schedule to allow operations to meet the customer service standards of Higher Grounds while aiming to achieve established labor cost efficiency metrics.

Manage communication and coordination for adjustments to the schedule due to weather, sickness, approved vacations, absences, etc., by either finding substitute coverage or flexing into working a shift to the degree necessary to ensure smooth operations.

Prepare and serve beverages that meet HG standards for freshness, quality, and presentation. Guide other staff to preparing beverages at the same standard.

Understand and uphold health and safety standards and systems in the Coffee Bar.

Ensure daily and weekly cleaning schedules are completed to a consistent and high standard.

Ensure that the bar is sufficiently stocked to meet demand, stock awaiting sale is kept in an orderly and secure condition (e.g. milk products are properly stored), and waste is minimized and recorded.

Ensure coffee equipment is in good working order and maintained regularly. Engage with company administration to solve maintenance issues.

Maintain effective merchandising and promotion of retail items.

Maintain coffee knowledge on all HG offerings by participating in tastings and training; accurately communicate product information to customers. Ensure all staff are doing the same.

Demonstrate an ongoing pursuit of education, training, and knowledge of industry trends, setting an example for all barista staff.

Collaborate with company leadership to create systems, sales strategies, and efficiencies to allow Coffee Bar performance to meet or exceed financial goals.

Guide beverage development and roll out to ensure a consistent and unique menu offering

Train, coach, and manage employees to ensure individuals can achieve their full potential in their roles. When necessary, advocate for additional staff training.

Lead regular (at least monthly) meetings with all barista staff.

Diligently utilize online software for electronic communication, data management, and performance tracking.

Leader by example and through written and verbal direction

Coffee proficient, expertise seeking

Accurate cash handling

Bias towards action

Problem solving/analysis

Pleasantly persistent

Qualifications:

• 1 to 3 years of previous coffee barista experience required; cafe management experience a plus.
• Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrating resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of Higher Grounds.
• A passion for specialty coffee and a human-centric approach.
• Ability to utilize computer software and navigate basic computer platforms.
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to collaborate with a team of other staff.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Higher Grounds is a mission-based business built around the idea that high quality coffee is sustainable only through a human-centric approach by making coffee production beneficial for farmers, their communities and everyone involved in the supply chain.

Our circle model : We provide coffee drinkers with the opportunity to engage in a cycle that begins with, and returns to, our partners in coffee-growing regions. We’re fully engaged in that cycle, sourcing coffee directly from farmers through ownership of our importer Cooperative Coffees and circling back to the farmers and their communities via ourpartner nonprofit, On the Ground.