Cafe Manager

Arlington, VA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Exact $60,000.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Benefits

Dental Insurance

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

short-term disability

accident insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Free coffee

Job Description

Commonwealth Joe is a renowned specialty coffee company that prides itself on delivering exceptional coffee experiences through its retail stores and cafés. Known for its unwavering commitment to quality and community engagement, Commonwealth Joe has established itself as a leader in the coffee industry. The company emphasizes excellence, humility, teamwork, and continuous learning, values that are deeply embedded within its culture and operations. It operates several cafés that cater to coffee enthusiasts who appreciate expertly crafted beverages and outstanding customer service. The environment at Commonwealth Joe is fast paced, dynamic, and team oriented, fostering an atmosphere where employees are encouraged to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to the brand's success.\n\nThe Café Manager is a pivotal leadership role at Commonwealth Joe, serving as the head of the retail store and the primary point of contact for the café team. This position requires a proactive and resourceful leader who can make sound decisions under pressure, adeptly handling challenges such as urgent equipment repairs, staffing issues, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The Café Manager embodies a hands-on leadership style with a strong presence, emphasizing professionalism, open communication, and exceptional customer engagement. This role is designed for an individual who thrives in a high-energy environment and is passionate about building a high-performing team within a welcoming café atmosphere. The Café Manager shoulders the responsibility of achieving monthly and quarterly financial, product, and brand objectives, guiding the team to meet sales targets and operational standards. Additionally, the manager uses data-driven insights to optimize store performance, manage inventory effectively, and control labor costs. This role involves leading recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of team members, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous learning. The Café Manager plays a critical role in maintaining strong relationships with customers and the local community, enhancing the brand’s presence both on-site and through community engagement initiatives. The position requires a full-time commitment with consistent on-site presence, approximately 40 hours per week, including 24-30 hours directly on shift. The role offers a competitive starting salary of $60,000 with a scheduled 90-day performance review and possible salary increase. The successful candidate must be detail oriented, a strong communicator, and passionate about coffee and hospitality, ready to contribute actively to Commonwealth Joe’s continued growth and excellence.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Minimum of 2 years of management experience leading teams
Experience working in a retail and/or service-driven environment
ServSafe certification or ability to obtain within a defined timeframe
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment
Flexibility to work approximately 40 hours per week with extensive on-site presence
Customer service orientation and passion for coffee and hospitality
Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for extended periods and lifting
Proficiency with POS and inventory management software

Job Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of 2 years of management experience leading teams
Experience working in a retail and/or service-driven environment
Café or hospitality experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated attention to detail with high standards for quality, presentation, and execution
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to effectively engage individuals across a range of roles, skill sets, and perspectives
ServSafe certification required or ability to obtain within a defined timeframe
Passionate about coffee, hospitality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences
Demonstrates a proactive, can-do mindset and seeks practical, effective solutions
Quick learner with strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Balances attention to detail with the ability to think strategically and see the big picture
Effectively prioritizes and manages multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
Approaches challenges with patience, curiosity, and follow-through
Maintains flexibility and availability to address unforeseen needs to ensure smooth café operations
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or similar productivity tools
Experience using point-of-sale (POS) systems and inventory management tools
Familiarity with employee scheduling and payroll platforms preferred

Job Duties

Accountable for achieving monthly and quarterly financial, product, and brand objectives at the café
Leads and directs the team to set goals, align priorities, and execute initiatives in support of company objectives
Proactively identifies opportunities to improve operations, team effectiveness, guest experience, and profitability, bringing forward thoughtful recommendations and proposed solutions
Uses data and reporting tools to analyze trends, diagnose challenges, and inform operational and people decisions
Manages store performance metrics, including sales targets, customer satisfaction, labor cost percentages, COGS, and shrink, ensuring alignment with overall business goals
Manages monthly COGS targets through effective inventory management, purchasing decisions, waste reduction, and data analysis
Manages monthly labor targets through thoughtful scheduling, deployment planning, and active participation on the floor when needed
Ensures the café is adequately staffed at all times, proactively addressing call-outs and unexpected staffing challenges, including stepping in to fill roles as necessary
Oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing development of team members, fostering a culture of learning, craftsmanship, and accountability
Develops internal talent, identifies future leaders, and builds bench strength to support long-term store stability
Coordinates staff training and development in partnership with the management team
Builds and maintains strong, trusting relationships with team members, fostering open communication through regular team meetings and individual check-ins
Leads the team through change effectively by communicating expectations clearly, reinforcing standards, and holding team members accountable during transitions
Develops, implements, and maintains operational procedures and checklists to ensure consistency and efficiency
Leads day-to-day store operations, remaining present, accessible, and ready to support the team through daily challenges
Sets, models, and reinforces high standards of quality, speed of service, professionalism, and overall customer experience
Coordinates routine equipment maintenance and preventative care, and ensures timely repairs by working closely with vendors and contractors
Minimizes spoilage through inventory controls, product rotation, and responsible usage practices
Proactively plans for holidays, events, and seasonal initiatives to drive customer engagement and operational readiness
Partners with the Café Director and cross-functional teams to engage the community both online and in person, deepen relationships with regular customers, and build connections with neighboring businesses
Demonstrates financial curiosity by understanding key drivers of profitability and actively testing ways to improve margins and guest spend
Maintains a high level of professionalism and represents Commonwealth Joe positively both on and off shift
Demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to perform all roles within the retail environment as needed
Performs other duties as assigned