Café Operations Manager | Lead a Café. Grow a Business. Create Opportunities.

About the role

The Café Manager owns the MADE by DWC (MADE) café’s operations, job-training program, bringing together strong business leadership and a commitment to developing people. This role is responsible for the overall success of the café, including financial performance, team development, customer experience, and mission impact. As the leader of an employment social enterprise, the manager creates opportunities for employees and trainees to grow while ensuring the business operates successfully. A successful candidate can build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence; develops high-performing teams; and drives results that strengthen the people, business, and its impact. They are accountable for meeting revenue, expense, labor, inventory, and profitability goals while maintaining a safe, compliant, and mission-aligned operation. Success is measured by the strength of the team, the quality of customer experience, the achievement of business and program goals, and the continued growth and sustainability of MADE. This position reports to the Director of Social Enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop café staff and trainees to build a high-performing, engaged, and accountable team.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance management, and professional development to support employee growth and retention.
• Own the overall performance of the café, ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and alignment with DWC's mission.
• Accountable for achieving revenue, expense, labor, inventory, and profitability goals while maintaining a sustainable and mission-aligned operation.
• Monitor business performance, customer insights, industry trends, and market conditions to identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute marketing, community engagement, and business development initiatives that increase visibility, revenue, and customer loyalty.
• Lead catering, pop-up, and special event opportunities that generate revenue, expand brand awareness, and strengthen community relationships.
• Manage inventory, cash handling, operational controls, and business systems to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Lead and continuously improve the paid job-training program, supporting participant development, workforce readiness, and successful outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, community partners, vendors, consultants, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• Prepare and present operational, financial, and performance reports to inform decision-making and support leadership, committee, and Board reporting.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, employment, and operational standards while promoting the mission, vision, and values of DWC and MADE.
• Perform other duties as necessary to support the success, growth, and sustainability of MADE.

In partnership with the Director of Social Enterprise, the Café Manager contributes to:

• Department and organizational strategic planning.
• Annual business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance evaluation.
• Revenue growth, business development, and long-term sustainability strategies.
• Cross-functional collaboration with programs, marketing, finance, development, operations, and human resources.
• Strategic partnerships, community engagement, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational change initiatives.
• Leadership development, talent management, and succession planning efforts.

Directly supervises café staff and trainees and oversees volunteers, interns, consultants, and temporary staff supporting café operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum three years of management experience in a café, restaurant, hospitality, retail, or similar customer-facing environment.
• Minimum two years of experience leading and developing employees.
• Strong knowledge of café or restaurant operations, customer service, inventory management, food safety, and business performance.
• Experience managing budgets, sales goals, labor costs, and operational metrics.
• Proficiency with Toast POS systems, scheduling software, Microsoft 365, and business reporting tools.
• ServSafe Manager Certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC.
• Must provide negative TB test