Full-Time Cafe Manager – Union Square
Job Description
CAFE GENERAL MANAGER
The Cafe General Manager is responsible for leading the overall performance of their cafe while upholding Joe Coffee Company’s core values: Curiosity, Craft, Commitment, and Community. The GM drives operational excellence, financial performance, and team development while cultivating a welcoming and inspiring cafe environment.
This role requires a strong and spirited leader who is humble, hardworking, and passionate about problem-solving. Successful GMs are deeply committed to the work of enlightened hospitality, approaching leadership with openness, compassion, and a progressive mindset.
The GM reports to the District Manager and oversees the cafe’s daily operations, team leadership, and business performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Performance & Financial Management
- Achieve cafe performance metrics including revenue, labor management, and operational targets
- Manage cafe profitability through responsible expense management and revenue growth
- Review operational and financial reports to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement
- Implement strategies that improve efficiency, productivity, and guest experience
- Ensure accurate cash handling and adherence to company financial procedures
Hospitality & Guest Experience
- Cultivate a welcoming and vibrant cafe environment centered around coffee craft and community
- Model exceptional hospitality in every guest interaction
- Maintain high standards of beverage quality, service consistency, and cafe presentation
- Address guest feedback and resolve concerns with professionalism and care
Team Leadership & Development
- Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain a high-performing cafe team
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development for team members
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and inclusion
- Partner with the store’s Coffee Educators to support staff training on coffee knowledge, product quality, and craft standards
- Inspire team members to deliver outstanding hospitality and take pride in their work
Scheduling & Labor Management
- Create and maintain staff schedules that meet the operational needs of the cafe while managing labor budgets
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels during peak and non-peak hours
- Monitor labor trends and adjust schedules to support business performance
Operations & Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the cafe and all equipment
- Coordinate and schedule routine equipment maintenance and repairs
- Manage relationships with vendors and service providers
- Complete and submit operational summaries and reports to leadership and cross-functional teams
- Actively participate in manager meetings, leadership discussions, and company initiatives
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of experience in hospitality, food service, retail, or a similarly fast-paced, guest-facing environment preferred
- 1+ year of experience in a management or leadership role preferred, including responsibility for coaching, scheduling, staffing, and day-to-day operations
- Previous experience in specialty coffee or cafe operations is strongly preferred but not required
- Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and an inclusive workplace
- Strong understanding of hospitality and a commitment to creating thoughtful, welcoming guest experiences
- Experience managing business performance, including labor, sales, expenses, inventory, and other operational metrics
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear direction, coaching, and feedback
- Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to respond calmly and effectively to operational, employee, and guest concerns
- Comfortable learning and using scheduling, point-of-sale, reporting, and other workplace technology
- Ability to work collaboratively with District Managers, fellow General Managers, and cross-functional partners
- Ability to maintain discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive employee or business information
- Must be able to meet the scheduling needs of the cafe, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Must meet all applicable food safety or food-handler certification requirements, including obtaining required certifications within the timeframe established by the company
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical requirements described below reflect activities that may be necessary to perform the essential functions of the Cafe General Manager position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to stand and move throughout the cafe for extended periods of time during a shift
- Ability to regularly walk, bend, reach, crouch, twist, and perform repetitive motions associated with cafe operations
- Ability to use hands and arms for tasks including operating cafe equipment, preparing beverages, handling products, cleaning, and using point-of-sale and computer systems
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or move items weighing up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with assistance or appropriate equipment when needed
- Ability to safely navigate a fast-paced cafe environment, including areas that may be crowded, wet, or contain hot equipment and beverages
- Ability to perform operational and administrative responsibilities that may require alternating between standing, walking, and seated computer work throughout the workday
- Ability to communicate effectively with team members, guests, vendors, and company leadership in a busy cafe environment
- Ability to perform opening, closing, cleaning, stocking, and other cafe responsibilities when operationally necessary
- Ability to work in an environment with exposure to coffee, food products, cleaning products, varying temperatures, noise, and common food allergens
Joe Coffee Company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with applicable law.
BENEFITS & PERKS
At Joe Coffee, we care deeply about the well-being, growth, and happiness of our team. We offer a benefits package designed to support employees both at work and beyond.
Health & Wellness
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Available after six months of employment
- Beyond Med Access – Support for elective procedures not tied to medical plan eligibility
- Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits – Save on eligible transit and commuting expenses
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential support for mental health, legal, financial, and personal needs
Financial Support
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Opportunity to save for the future with employer match
- Bonuses & Incentives, including:
- Employee referral bonuses
- Team-based recognition programs
Community & Culture
- The Joe Show – Our signature community-building event
- Company Holiday Celebration – A festive gathering for the entire team
- Latte Art Throwdowns – Friendly competitions celebrating craft and creativity
Additional Perks
- Training and development workshops
- All the coffee you can ever want
ABOUT JOE COFFEE COMPANY
Joe Coffee Company was founded in 2003 by Jonathan Rubinstein as a single specialty coffee shop in Manhattan’s West Village with a simple vision: brew exceptional coffee and create a welcoming space for the community.
Today, Joe Coffee operates 25 cafes across New York and its own Roastery in Long Island City, while remaining deeply committed to quality, hospitality, and education.
At Joe, we believe a great coffee experience relies just as much on the barista as it does the coffee. That’s why we invest in industry-leading training and the long-term success of our team. As an early pioneer of artisan coffee in New York, we’re proud to continue innovating, growing, and leading as the specialty coffee movement evolves.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Joe Coffee Company is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
How to Apply
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