Cafe Lead - Bucktown

About the Role

At Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea, we believe that great food, exceptional coffee, and genuine hospitality bring people together. We're a community-driven café dedicated to creating welcoming spaces, thoughtfully crafted beverages, and memorable guest experiences. We are excited to open our newest Fairgrounds café in Bucktown and are looking for leaders who want to help create memorable experiences in a new community!

We're looking for a passionate, dependable, and experienced Café Lead to join our growing team at our newest Bucktown location. As a Fairgrounds Café Lead, you'll work closely with the General Manager to support daily café operations, develop teammates, and maintain high standards of quality, hospitality, and service. You'll serve as a key leadership resource, helping coordinate team responsibilities, address operational needs, and ensure the café runs smoothly. As part of our opening team, you'll also play an important role in establishing a positive team culture, supporting new-hire training, and setting the foundation for a successful new café.

Note: Our Bucktown location is not yet open. Initial onboarding and training will take place at another Fairgrounds café prior to the new location's opening.

Responsibilities

Café Leadership & Team Development

• Partner with the General Manager to support daily café operations, team performance, and leadership priorities.
• Lead, coach, and develop Shift Leads and Teammates through hands-on training, feedback, and ongoing support.
• Assist with team scheduling, shift coverage, deployment, and communication of daily expectations.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team environment.

Hospitality & Guest Experience

• Lead by example in creating a warm, welcoming environment and delivering exceptional hospitality.
• Support teammates in providing attentive, efficient, and memorable guest experiences.
• Address guest questions, concerns, and feedback with professionalism and care.

Food, Beverage, & Café Operations

• Uphold Fairgrounds' recipes, preparation techniques, and quality standards for all coffee, tea, specialty beverages, and food.
• Oversee daily café operations, including opening and closing procedures, preparation, and shift execution.
• Assist with inventory management, ordering, product availability, and waste reduction.
• Maintain equipment cleanliness, organization, and compliance with food safety, sanitation, and operational procedures.

Operational Support & Collaboration

• Collaborate with the General Manager to identify operational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the execution of café initiatives, promotions, and company standards.
• Assist with monitoring sales, labor, and operational performance to support café goals.
• Communicate team feedback, performance concerns, and operational updates to the General Manager.

Requirements

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a café, restaurant, or hospitality environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of specialty coffee, food service, and daily café operations.
• Experience training, coaching, and supporting team members.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, provide constructive feedback, and lead by example.
• A positive, dependable, and team-oriented leadership approach.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality, cleanliness, and food safety.
• Availability for early mornings, weekends, or holidays as needed.
• Food safety certification or willingness to obtain one.

Benefits

• Employee discounts on eligible food, beverage, and retail purchases.
• Shift drinks and meals available in accordance with company policy.
• Hands-on training and opportunities to develop new skills.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and advancement.
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace built on teamwork and mutual respect.
• Be part of the opening team and help shape the culture of our newest café.

Compensation

$19.25/hour, tip eligible.

Schedule & Location

Full-time and part-time positions available. Located in Bucktown, Chicago, IL (new café opening). Availability for early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed.