Assistant General Manager

HOMETOWN COFFEE & JUICE • Lake Forest, IL

13d

About The Position

As an Assistant General Manager, you'll be a key leader on the café team—supporting daily operations, coaching teammates, and helping drive excellence across guest experience, service flow, and store performance. You'll work closely with the General Manager to uphold standards, lead by example, and build a strong, collaborative culture.

Requirements

• Ability to stand and move for extended periods (up to 10 hours).
• Comfortable lifting up to 40 pounds and navigating a fast-paced café environment.
• Ability to stay focused, organized, and calm during peak service times.
• Previous leadership experience in hospitality, food service, or retail. Strong performance in previous internal roles preferred
• Strong communication, coaching, and decision-making skills.
• Working knowledge of scheduling, inventory, and performance metrics.
• A natural leader who leads by example and thrives in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of key areas of the business such as labor, inventory, and training, executing plans that drive results.
• Support the GM in ensuring daily operations run smoothly and to standard.
• Step into any role needed during peak hours to keep the café running efficiently.
• Anticipate issues and adjust plans to meet team and guest needs in real time.
• Set the tone for professionalism, energy, and accountability on every shift.
• Provide in-the-moment feedback to guide team members toward better performance.
• Help create a positive, respectful team environment where everyone feels supported.
• Support scheduling, inventory, and cost control efforts. Thorough understanding of front of house roles.
• Use key performance indicators (labor, sales, COGS) to identify and act on opportunities.
• Ensure café systems and standards are consistently upheld by the team.
• Deliver an outstanding guest experience through visibility, hospitality, and quick problem-solving.
• Build strong relationships with regulars and confidently handle guest concerns when they arise.
• Ensure the café always looks and feels welcoming, clean, and dialed-in.
• Clearly communicate priorities, expectations, and goals to the team.
• Collaborate with leads and GM to ensure strong team coordination and shift flow.
• Be a reliable bridge between hourly team members and leadership.
• Help manage and track labor, inventory, and waste with accuracy and accountability.
• Ensure team members follow food safety and cleanliness standards at all times.
• Support training efforts to maintain consistency across locations and shifts.
• Help Manage and track labor, inventory, and waste with accuracy and accountability.
• Ensure team members follow food safety and cleanliness standards at all times.
• Support training efforts to maintain consistency across locations and shifts.
• Receive ongoing training and coaching on our values and leadership approach.
• Help train others and reinforce culture through clear, consistent messaging.
• Show up with energy, care, and a commitment to excellence every day.

Benefits

• Lead a team in a fast-paced, high-impact café environment.
• Grow your leadership skills and make a real difference in team culture and performance.
• Be part of a supportive, values-driven company that invests in your development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees