Cafe Manager (SLK)

Gateway Community & Technical College•Southlake, TX

About The Position

The Campus Café Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a single Gateway Café location as part of the centralized Food & Beverage (F&B) team. This role ensures exceptional guest service, operational excellence, and alignment with Gateway Church’s mission. The Café Manager reports to a centralized Food & Beverage Manager and collaborates regularly with campus staff, regional F&B leadership, and peer Café Managers across other Gateway locations. This leader oversees all aspects of café operations—including financial performance, product quality, team leadership, and ministry support—while fostering a Christ-centered, welcoming environment for guests and team members. Success in this role requires a strong background in retail food service, strong people and time management skills, and a heart for serving both team and community.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of experience in café or restaurant management (preferably in a retail food service environment).
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop teams.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
Proficient in inventory management, vendor relations, and POS systems (Square experience preferred).
High attention to detail, especially in scheduling, cleanliness, and food safety standards.
Servant leadership mindset with a passion for hospitality and ministry support.
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.
Must obtain and maintain a current Food Manager Certification.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Collaboration
Lead, schedule, and develop a team of shift leads and attendants.
Provide hands-on training and coaching, with a focus on hospitality, compliance, and performance.
Partner with campus ministry departments and event teams to support weekend services, and special events.
Collaborate with regional F&B leadership and peer Café Managers on best practices and process improvements.
Participate in Central F&B meetings and training (remote and in-person).
Operations & Oversight
Manage daily café operations, including opening/closing routines, product merchandising, cleanliness, and guest experience.
Supervise café and breakroom stock levels; coordinate with vendors to maintain inventory par levels.
Implement and uphold health department guidelines and safety protocols; maintain a clean, compliant, and welcoming café.
Work shifts as needed to provide coverage, mentorship, or support during peak periods or major events.
Financial & Administrative Responsibilities
Monitor and steward café budget in alignment with campus and F&B goals.
Track and report café sales, labor, and waste data; review weekly performance reports and identify opportunities for efficiency.
Reconcile daily sales deposits and credit card batches; ensure accuracy of reporting in Square POS.
Enter and code receipts, manage vendor orders, and track expenses in coordination with F&B Admin and Finance teams.
Conduct monthly and annual inventory counts and submit timely reports.
Product & Service Strategy
Curate and maintain a simplified, effective café menu that meets campus needs and aligns with central strategy.
Support menu transitions and pricing updates provided by central F&B leadership.
Provide feedback to central team regarding campus-specific needs, preferences, or operational challenges.