Cafe Manager (Hillsboro Cafe)

Grand Central Bakery is a renowned artisan bakery that sparked a bread revolution in 1989 by introducing rustic artisan loaves to the Northwest region. As a Certified B Corporation, Grand Central Bakery operates with values deeply embedded in its culture, emphasizing sustainability, community investment, and ethical business practices. The company is committed to sourcing high-quality local and sustainable ingredients for its products and places great importance on creating a positive impact on employees and communities alike. This bakery has grown to establish multiple cafe locations, each serving delicious, authentic food that reflects the company’s passion for excellence and genuine customer experiences.

The Hillsboro Cafe is currently seeking a dedicated Cafe Manager who will oversee all cafe operations at this single location while fully supporting Grand Central Bakery’s mission to serve customers exceptional food products. The Cafe Manager plays a crucial role in nurturing the people, processes, and accountability needed for the cafe’s ongoing success and growth. This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive annual salary of $73,316.40 along with a comprehensive benefits package. The Cafe Manager reports directly to the Area Cafe Manager or Retail Director and is pivotal in connecting the cafe team’s efforts with the organization's broader strategic goals.

In this role, the Cafe Manager will be primarily responsible for recruiting, training, and developing the cafe’s employees, maximizing sales, ensuring profitability, and inspiring the team to maintain high standards of product quality and customer service. Through effective leadership, the Cafe Manager drives a positive and motivating environment where team members can thrive and deliver outstanding customer experiences aligned with the brand promise. A flexible work schedule centered on a five-day week allows for adjustments to accommodate special projects and unpredictable demands to ensure smooth cafe operations.

Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for this position, as the Cafe Manager must motivate the staff to uphold the company’s core values and deliver friendly, knowledgeable customer service. The manager will also act as an important liaison between cafe employees and the product team by conveying feedback and helping shape menu offerings. Ensuring that health and safety standards are consistently met, maintaining operational efficiency, and controlling costs are vital components of the day-to-day responsibilities.

Additionally, the Cafe Manager will drive sales performance by analyzing key performance indicators such as sales figures, product assortment, and staffing schedules. Budget management, waste control, and cost analysis are integral to maintaining profitability. The successful candidate will embrace Open Book Management principles and cultivate a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among the team.

Grand Central Bakery values diversity and inclusion, and the Cafe Manager will actively promote anti-racist and culturally inclusive practices within the cafe environment. They will foster strong internal and external relationships with vendors, HR, and other departments, enhancing collaboration and communication throughout the organization. Coaching and mentoring team members toward career growth and succession planning are key to sustaining a skilled, engaged workforce.

Physical demands related to this job include moderate lifting, walking, standing, and repetitive hand motions. The Cafe Manager is expected to be proficient in all cafe stations including customer service, barista duties, and sandwich production. Knowledge of health regulations, safety protocols, and computer proficiency in programs such as Microsoft Office and point-of-sale systems are required.

Overall, the Cafe Manager at Hillsboro Cafe will be a visible, dependable leader who leads by example, fosters a team-centric culture, effectively manages financials, and champions Grand Central Bakery’s mission while driving the local cafe’s success.