Cafe Manager + Lead Barista

Urban Juncture Foundation • Chicago, IL

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Forum Cafe is seeking a passionate and experienced cafe professional to work with the owner, members of the broader Forum team, and other stakeholders to establish, operate, and grow a culture-centric enterprise that will be at the heart of the revitalization of The Forum. The Cafe will be operated by a team of 2-4, depending on time and event, and the Manager will oversee both front-of-house (coffee, tea, beverage service, and register) and back-of-house (food prep and bus service) operations, while leading beverage service. The ideal candidate is a team-oriented leader with several years of hospitality experience, deep skills in crafting beverages, a commitment to collaboration, and a passion for community engagement. They will play a key role in shaping the cafe’s offering, delivering beverages, managing the Cafe team and operations, and curating events to bring our vision to life.

Requirements

• Several years of experience in a hospitality role, with deep experience as a barista and at least 1 year in a management position.
• Current ANSI/ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.
• Basic math skills
• Background in food sourcing, inventory management, and menu development.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Passion for coffee, food, and creating memorable guest experiences.
• Deep connection to community and a culture-forward mindset.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, pre-opening environment, to take initiative, and to execute plans to contribute to the cafe’s vision.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in marketing, event planning, and community engagement is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Help develop the Cafe’s menu, complete fit-out, establish operating processes, recruit and train team members, and develop opening events.
• Oversee coffee, tea, and beverage service, ensuring exceptional customer experiences.
• Manage register operations and train staff to deliver warm, professional service.
• Supervise food preparation, maintain high standards of quality and safety, and oversee bus service for a seamless dining experience.
• Collaborate with the Urban Juncture team to create a unique, community-inspired menu that reflects Forum Cafe’s culture-forward ethos.
• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Craft and sell high quality coffee, tea and specialty beverages by following prescribed recipes and preparation techniques
• Manage inventory, source high-quality ingredients from local and sustainable vendors, and maintain cost-effective stock levels.
• Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote the cafe.
• Plan and host events, such as cultural programs, workshops, or community gatherings, to position Forum Cafe as a local hub.
• Enhance cafe reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; recommending opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Ensure smooth daily operations, including scheduling, budgeting, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Manage the backend of the point of sale system
• Serve as the face of Forum Cafe, building strong relationships with customers and embodying the cafe’s values of community and culture.
• Follow through on an exceptional customer experience by presenting drink recommendations and an interactive and positive experience.
• Lead, train, and motivate a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Drive sales through engagement of customers, suggestive selling, and product knowledge.
• Create schedules to provide adequate shift coverage with appropriate experience levels.
• Improve quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; recommending solutions; maintaining the appearance of the cafe.
• Other roles as needed to ensure success of the Forum Cafe.

Benefits

• As the Forum Cafe Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a one-of-a-kind enterprise within the historic Forum complex. You’ll work in a creative, community-driven environment where your passion for food, culture, and hospitality can shine, and you’ll be part of building a space that brings people together and leaves a lasting impact on our community.

What This Job Offers

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