General Manager of The Cafe at Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms•Nashville, TN

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Thistle Farms is a nonprofit justice enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. We do this by providing a safe place to live, meaningful jobs, and a lifelong sisterhood of support. The General Manager is a key leader responsible for ushering in and supporting the next era of the Café at Thistle Farms, one that deepens our commitment to healing, economic opportunity, and community connection. The General Manager leads all Café operations, including supervision of the Head Chef, the front-of-house team and the Café and Catering & Events team, to ensure operational excellence, financial sustainability, and a welcoming, mission-centered environment for guests, employees, volunteers, and community partners. At the heart of this role is the development of people. The General Manager is responsible for training, coaching, and supporting a team largely made up of individuals in recovery, ensuring a workplace that is trauma-informed, growth-oriented, and grounded in dignity. This leader creates pathways for skill-building, confidence, and advancement, while holding clear standards that support both individual success and strong business outcomes. The General Manager also plays a critical role in positioning the Café as a true “third place” for the community, a welcoming, inclusive space beyond home and work where people gather, connect, and experience the mission of Thistle Farms in a tangible way.

Requirements

Proven experience in restaurant or hospitality management; experience in nonprofit or social enterprise environments strongly preferred
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop teams, ideally with experience supporting individuals in recovery or navigating trauma-informed environments
Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and interpret performance metrics
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
Ability to balance compassion with accountability in a dynamic environment
Ability to remain calm and effective in high-paced or challenging situations
Knowledge of food, beverage, and event industry standards and trends
Awareness and understanding of trauma-informed care principles
Nurturing, steady, and patient leadership style
7+ years of hospitality management experience
Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

Oversee all daily café operations, ensuring a high standard of hospitality, efficiency, cleanliness, and guest satisfaction
Lead front-of-house operations including service standards, staffing coordination, scheduling, and workflow management
Ensure alignment and collaboration between front-of-house, kitchen, catering, and events teams
Create and maintain operational systems, policies, and procedures that support consistency and accountability
Monitor and improve operational performance, guest experience, and team effectiveness
Directly manages the Head Chef, who oversees the creation, development, and delivery of all food and beverage offerings across the Café, catering, events, and afternoon tea service
Partners with the Head Chef to coordinate, manage and develop the Catering and Sales Team
Handles employee discipline in accordance with company policy
Creates weekly staff and volunteer schedules
Finalizes biweekly payroll
Approves mileage and reimbursements
Manages time-off requests
Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of staff and volunteers, many of whom are in recovery, with a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach
Create a culture of belonging, accountability, and growth that supports high retention and meaningful employment pathways
Design and oversee training programs that build both technical skills and confidence, with clear pathways for advancement
Serve as a steady, supportive presence, balancing compassion with clear expectations and consistency
Ensure an exceptional, consistent, and welcoming guest experience rooted in hospitality and care
Champion the Café as a “third place” for the community, warm, inviting, and reflective of Thistle Farms’ mission and values
Support workforce development and social enterprise initiatives connected to the café
Represent the café professionally in the community and at organizational events
Collaborate with organizational leadership on initiatives that expand the café’s impact and visibility
Regularly evaluate customer experience through feedback and implement improvements
Model and recognize outstanding hospitality and service
Provide leadership and oversight for catering operations, afternoon tea experiences, private events, and community gatherings
Partner with the Head Chef and Catering & Events team to ensure successful planning and execution of all events
Support the growth and promotion of catering and hospitality offerings as a revenue-generating social enterprise
Ensure event experiences reflect the mission, brand, and hospitality standards of Thistle Farms
Develop relationships with community partners, organizations, and guests to expand awareness and engagement
Manage café operational performance with attention to revenue growth, labor management, and expense control
Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
Monitor key operational and financial metrics, identifying opportunities for efficiency and growth
Support pricing strategy and operational decisions in partnership with the Head Chef
Review and approve operational purchases and vendor relationships within budget guidelines
Contribute to the continued development and sustainability of the café as a nonprofit social enterprise
Manage administrative functions including hiring, scheduling, payroll, budgeting, inventory, and financial reporting
Maintain POS systems and ensure operational accuracy
Partner with the Head Chef on menu development to ensure offerings are fresh, high-quality, and aligned with brand and guest expectations
Ensure consistency and excellence in all food and beverage execution
Collaborate with the Head Chef to identify local suppliers and community partners to source ingredients and products that reflect values and support artisans
Ensure all food safety, health, and safety standards are met and consistently upheld
Maintain proper use and care of all Café equipment
Exercise sound judgment in resolving operational and personnel issues
Other duties as assigned