Job Description

Position Overview:

We are looking for a General Manager / Owner-Operator to lead an established neighborhood cafe in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Coffee is the core of our business, and we want our program to be the best in the neighborhood. We also offer a focused wine menu every day, with extended evening service on Fridays and Saturdays. The wine program matters to the guest experience, but coffee remains the main focus.

This is not a passive manager role. We are looking for someone creative, committed, and entrepreneurial, someone who wants to run the cafe like it is their own. You will work closely with ownership on big-picture decisions, but the day-to-day will be yours to lead. We are hiring for ownership, judgment, and initiative, not someone who needs to be micromanaged.

The right person is hands-on, hospitality-driven, detail-oriented, and financially aware. You care about coffee quality, team culture, guest experience, and the business behind it all.

What You’ll Do
Team & Culture
Lead, train, coach, and motivate the cafe team
Create a positive, professional, and high-accountability work environment
Set clear expectations and give regular feedback
Handle performance issues directly and professionally
Lead by example on hospitality, service, cleanliness, punctuality, and communication
Build a culture where the team feels proud of the cafe and invested in its success

Coffee Quality & Guest Experience
Maintain high coffee and beverage quality standards, including dialing in, consistency, workflow, and presentation
Train and support staff on coffee preparation, service standards, and guest interaction
Make sure drinks are prepared consistently and thoughtfully
Shape the atmosphere of the cafe, including music, flow, presentation, and service style
Build relationships with regulars and the Park Slope community
Bring creative ideas for seasonal drinks, small events, local partnerships, and community engagement

Wine Program
Oversee the daily wine menu and ensure consistent, responsible service
Support extended evening service on Fridays and Saturdays
Make the day-to-night transition feel intentional and welcoming
Help the wine program grow over time as the neighborhood responds
Maintain responsible alcohol service standards at all times

Operations
Oversee daily cafe operations and ensure smooth service
Work regular floor shifts and stay actively involved in the business
Manage scheduling, shift coverage, timekeeping, and labor planning
Oversee inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships
Maintain systems for opening, closing, cleaning, cash handling, and daily operations
Create, improve, and maintain SOPs for the team to follow
Keep the cafe clean, stocked, organized, and always ready for NYC DOH inspection

Business Performance
Monitor labor, COGS, waste, inventory, and controllable expenses
Work with ownership to set and track sales, labor, and profitability goals
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, guest retention, team performance, and revenue
Help grow the business through better operations, stronger service, creative programming, and local community building
Participate in profit sharing tied to agreed business performance goals

Requirements
3+ years of experience in coffee, cafe, restaurant, hospitality, or food and beverage operations
2+ years of management or leadership experience
Strong specialty coffee knowledge and a genuine interest in quality
NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate required at time of hire
Hands-on leadership style – willing to jump behind the bar, support the floor, clean, train, and solve problems
Comfortable managing scheduling, inventory, vendors, labor, and daily operations
Strong communication and team-building skills
Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable
Able to stay calm, professional, and solution-focused under pressure
Flexible availability, including weekends and Friday/Saturday evenings
Ability to lift 50 lbs when needed
Wine, beer, or evening service experience is a plus, but not the main focus
Experience with POS, scheduling, payroll, and inventory tools
Experience improving operations, training systems, or team culture in a hospitality business

Who You Are

You take ownership.

You notice the small details: the espresso needs adjustment, the pastry case needs attention, the line is building, the music feels off, a regular has not been greeted, or the team needs support.

You care about quality, but you also understand business. You know that great hospitality, clean systems, strong training, and financial discipline all work together.

You are creative but consistent. Warm but direct. Hands-on but able to lead. You are excited to take an existing neighborhood cafe and make it stronger every day.

Schedule

This is a full-time leadership position. The role includes regular floor shifts plus dedicated admin time for scheduling, ordering, vendor management, payroll preparation, training, and business planning.

Weekend availability is required, including Friday and Saturday evenings for extended service.

Compensation
Competitive hourly wage based on experience, leadership ability, coffee knowledge, and the level of ownership you bring
Opportunity to transition to a salary-based compensation structure based on performance, business needs, and mutual fit
Overtime pay for hours over 40 per week
Profit sharing tied to agreed business performance goals, designed to reward someone who grows sales, controls costs, improves operations, and builds a stronger team

How to Apply

Job Categories: Manager. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: Hourly.

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