Cafe Leader - Old Orchard Center

Blue Bottle Coffee • Skokie, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

A Blue Bottle Cafe Leader creates a culture of belonging where team members with diverse backgrounds, styles, and perspectives can grow. The leader develops the team to deliver excellent hospitality and coffee experiences consistently while maintaining accountability for cafe standards and business goals. The role oversees day-to-day cafe operations, team development and performance, guest experience, business results, safety, and sustainability. This is an on-site position with a flexible schedule that includes mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of retail or hospitality experience; coffee, food, and beverage experience is strongly preferred.
• At least 2 years of leadership experience leading a team of 10 or more people.
• Experience hiring, training, and developing team members.
• Complete Blue Bottle Academy’s Barista training and validation program, or complete it within 90 days after hire.
• Hold the food safety certification required for the state and role, or obtain it within 30 days after hire.
• Strong understanding of a profit and loss statement and how to impact it.
• Comfort using computer programs, especially Google Drive tools such as Sheets, Docs, and Calendar.
• Available to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with a flexible schedule.
• Ability to smell and taste coffee and food for quality control.
• Ability to listen and speak with guests to take and fill orders and guide guest experiences.
• Ability to work in conditions that may include elevated temperatures from food and beverage preparation equipment and cooler temperatures in refrigerated spaces.

Nice To Haves

• Coffee, food, and beverage experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build, develop, inspire, and retain the team through direct feedback, coaching, mentorship, development check-ins, and performance management.
• Lead by example to deliver exceptional guest experiences and consistently exceed guest expectations.
• Manage day-to-day cafe operations, including ordering, scheduling, banking procedures, and reviewing and approving payroll.
• Set performance expectations and lead the team toward sales, guest satisfaction, and other cafe goals.
• Motivate team members to contribute to company-wide sustainability goals.
• Foster a safe, respectful, collaborative, and inclusive workplace and address team member concerns proactively.
• Collaborate with other Blue Bottle teams and the Area Leader on initiatives that engage the local community and strengthen guest relationships.
• Coach and train the team to uphold quality standards for beverages and food.
• Follow health, food safety, and general safety guidelines.
• Manage the cafe's Profit and Loss statement in alignment with sales, budget, and strategic goals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees starting on the first day.
• Best-in-class coffee training and continuing education.
• Free membership in the Specialty Coffee Association of America and discounts on events, including Expos and Championships.
• 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off and paid volunteer hours.
• 50% discount on products online and in cafes, including food, beverages, whole-bean coffee, and merchandise.
• Two free drinks during shifts for cafe team members.
• Flexible spending account and commuter benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed