Cafe Lead - Bucktown
About The Position
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea is hiring a Café Lead for its new Bucktown café in Chicago, Illinois. The Café Lead works closely with the General Manager to support daily operations, develop teammates, coordinate responsibilities, address operational needs, and maintain standards for quality, hospitality, and service. As a member of the opening team, the Café Lead also helps establish a positive team culture, support new-hire training, and build the foundation for the new café. The Bucktown location is not yet open; initial onboarding and training will take place at another Fairgrounds café before the new location opens. The role includes leadership and team development, guest hospitality, food and beverage preparation, café operations, and operational collaboration. The Café Lead helps ensure that the café runs smoothly and contributes to company initiatives and café goals.
Requirements
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a café, restaurant, or hospitality environment is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of specialty coffee, food service, and daily café operations.
- Experience training, coaching, and supporting team members.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to delegate responsibilities, provide constructive feedback, and lead by example.
- Positive, dependable, and team-oriented leadership approach.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and make decisions 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.
Responsibilities
- Partner with the General Manager to support daily café operations, team performance, and leadership priorities.
- Lead, coach, and develop Shift Leads and Teammates through hands-on training, feedback, and ongoing support.
- Assist with 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 daily café operations, including opening and closing procedures, preparation, and shift execution.
- Assist with inventory management, ordering, product availability, and waste reduction.
- Maintain equipment cleanliness and organization, and comply with food safety, sanitation, and operational procedures.
- Collaborate with the General Manager to identify operational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
- Support café initiatives, promotions, and company standards.
- Assist with monitoring sales, labor, and operational performance to support café goals.
- Communicate team feedback, performance concerns, and operational updates to the General Manager.
Benefits
- Employee discounts on eligible food, beverage, and retail purchases.
- Shift drinks and meals 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
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
