Cafe Manager - University of Chicago
About The Position
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is seeking a dependable, experienced Café Manager for its University of Chicago location in Chicago, Illinois. The Café Manager leads daily operations, develops teammates, and maintains high standards of quality, hospitality, and service. The role works closely with café leadership and takes ownership of scheduling, inventory management, ordering, and team performance. The manager helps create a positive team culture, supports employee development, and ensures a welcoming and efficient café environment. Responsibilities span café leadership, guest experience, food and beverage quality, operational management, and collaboration.
Requirements
- Strong knowledge of specialty coffee, food service, and daily café operations.
- Experience training, coaching, and developing team members.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to delegate responsibilities, provide constructive feedback, and make informed decisions.
- A positive, dependable, and team-oriented leadership approach.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and lead in a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail and commitment to quality, cleanliness, and food safety.
- Availability for early mornings, weekends, or holidays as needed.
- Food safety certification or willingness to obtain one.
Nice To Haves
- Previous management or supervisory experience in a café, restaurant, or hospitality environment.
- Experience with employee scheduling, inventory management, and ordering.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily café operations, team performance, and shift execution.
- Lead, coach, and develop Shift Leads and teammates through hands-on training, feedback, and ongoing support.
- Manage team scheduling, shift coverage, deployment, and communication of daily expectations.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team environment.
- Model warm, welcoming hospitality and support teammates in delivering attentive, efficient, and memorable guest experiences.
- Address guest questions, concerns, and feedback professionally and with care.
- Uphold recipes, preparation techniques, and quality standards for coffee, tea, specialty beverages, and food.
- Oversee opening and closing procedures, daily preparation, and consistent execution of café standards.
- Manage inventory, ordering, product availability, and waste reduction.
- Ensure equipment cleanliness, organization, and compliance with food safety, sanitation, and operational procedures.
- Identify operational challenges and implement improvements to support efficiency and performance.
- Coordinate café initiatives, promotions, and company standards.
- Monitor sales, labor, inventory, and operational performance to support café goals.
- Communicate team performance, employee concerns, and operational updates to café leadership.
Benefits
- Employee discounts on eligible food, beverage, and retail purchases.
- Shift drinks and meals, available in accordance with company policy.
- Hands-on training and opportunities to develop new skills.
- Opportunities for continued professional development and advancement.
- A collaborative and inclusive workplace built on teamwork and mutual respect.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
