Cafe Manager | Chicago

Blank Street • Chicago, IL

5d • $70,000 - $95,000

About The Position

Blank Street is hiring a Cafe Manager in Chicago to take full ownership of a store and contribute to the company’s goal of becoming a defining food and beverage brand. The role is accountable for training and developing team members, leading by example in facilities, product quality, and customer experience, and maintaining operational standards through effective inventory and performance management. The Cafe Manager also hires talent, drives business growth and continuous improvement, and may support light project work that contributes to the broader business and professional development.

The manager creates an engaging team culture through celebration, training, coaching, and mentoring; oversees staffing, schedules, timecards, and paid time off; and recruits with the People Team. They maintain consistent food and beverage quality, manage ordering and vendor relationships, inventory and waste, and ensure safety, cleanliness, compliance, and strong audit results. The role spends 50–70% of the week leading by example behind the bar, serving customers and producing technically excellent food and beverages. It also involves growing neighborhood relationships, improving store financial performance and throughput, and meeting sales goals.

This is a full-time position requiring 45 hours per week, availability five days per week, and availability to work two peak days, usually weekend days (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).

Requirements

• At least 4 years of experience managing and leading single-store operations in high-growth hospitality or consumer brands.
• Full-time availability: 45 hours per week and availability five days per week, including two peak days, usually Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• Experience hiring, developing, and managing hospitality teams.
• Experience managing inventory and supply chain ordering.
• Strong knowledge of specialty coffee, espresso, and equipment.
• Strong decision-making and multitasking skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Love for coffee and customer service.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities

• Create a motivating team culture by celebrating, training, coaching, and mentoring team members.
• Cover scheduling gaps or time off in the store schedule as needed.
• Create and publish staff schedules in accordance with state and local labor laws.
• Review and approve timecards and paid time off requests promptly and accurately.
• Recruit talent in collaboration with the People Team.
• Oversee and validate training delivered by Shift Leads, providing feedback and coaching where needed.
• Ensure new employees complete coffee accreditations on time and in accordance with company standards.
• Maintain strong team engagement.
• Maintain food and beverage quality standards and ensure recipes are executed accurately and consistently.
• Manage ordering, vendor relations, waste management, inventory counts, and compliance with the Inventory Management System.
• Spend 50–70% of the week leading by example behind the bar through customer service and production of food and beverages.
• Ensure the location’s safety, cleanliness, and presentation meet company policies.
• Achieve company operational excellence standards and above through the auditing platform.
• Build relationships with neighborhood businesses and people to grow local brand loyalty.
• Support the store’s financial performance and peak business throughput.
• Grow average order value and meet sales goals through creative initiatives and team engagement.
• Ensure the location meets operations and product quality audit standards and act quickly on feedback.

Benefits

• $70,000–$95,000 annual salary.
• 15 days of paid annual leave, in addition to company-observed holidays and sick time.
• Three health plan options, with full coverage available for two employee-only tiers.
• Commuter benefits.
• Parental leave.
• Bereavement leave.
• Free coffee, matcha, and more through the Regulars program.
• Regular social outings with the team.
• Free Blank Street swag.

What This Job Offers

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