Cafe/Bakery Assistant Manager

Job Description TITLE: Cafe Assistant Manager DATE: 11/6/2026 DEPARTMENT: Operations FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt REPORTS TO: Cafe General Manager LABOR GRADE: Hourly APPROVED BY: APPROVED DATE:
## Job Summary

CSCA Café is a café and bakery in Cambridge, MA, operated by the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Since opening in early 2025, it has become a favorite neighborhood gathering spot, offering exceptional coffee alongside pastries, specialty desserts, spreads, and syrups made from scratch, in-house, by CSCA's culinary talent.

We pride ourselves on providing outstanding hospitality, the highest-quality products, showcasing the work of CSCA's Professional students, and creating a welcoming community space where customers can relax and enjoy their favorite beverages and baked goods.

The Café Assistant Manager plays a key role in supporting the General Manager with the daily operation and continued success of CSCA Cafe. This is a hands-on leadership position that combines active participation in cafe service with supervising employees, maintaining operational standards, coaching team members, and ensuring an exceptional guest experience.

The Assistant Manager works closely with the General Manager, Shift Leads, Baristas, Baking Team, and ownership to ensure the cafe operates smoothly, efficiently, and consistently. When the General Manager is unavailable, the Assistant Manager serves as the Manager on Duty, taking responsibility for daily operations, service standards, and employee supervision.

To be successful in this role, you should be an experienced hospitality professional who leads by example, enjoys working alongside the team, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about creating memorable customer experiences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cafe Operations & Guest Experience

- Support the General Manager in overseeing daily café operations, ensuring efficient service, consistent product quality, and an exceptional guest experience.
- Serve as Manager on Duty in the General Manager's absence, providing leadership and making operational decisions within established guidelines.
- Work actively alongside baristas and support staff, including preparing beverages, assisting customers, operating the POS, stocking, food preprataion, and supporting food service during busy periods.
- Ensure consistent and efficient delivery of espresso beverages, bakery items, sandwiches, soups, and other café offerings.
- Maintain a spotless, organized, safe, and welcoming environment throughout the café, including the espresso bar, customer seating areas, display cases, and back-of-house spaces.
- Ensure opening, closing, cash handling, and daily operational procedures are completed accurately and consistently.
- Monitor guest satisfaction, promptly resolve customer concerns, and escalate significant issues to the General Manager or ownership as appropriate.
- Reinforce CSCA Cafe's commitment to outstanding hospitality and the G.U.E.S.T. service protocols.
- Help create an environment that encourages customer loyalty, repeat business, and positive community relationships.

Team Leadership & Development

- Assist the General Manager in supervising, coaching, motivating, and developing Shift Leads, Baristas, and support staff.
- Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and a positive attitude.
- Help onboard and train new employees, ensuring they understand and follow café policies, procedures, recipes, and service standards.
- Provide ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and recognition to help team members succeed.
- Support the General Manager with employee scheduling, shift coverage, and staffing adjustments as needed.
- Address attendance, punctuality, performance, and workplace concerns promptly and professionally, escalating matters when appropriate.
- Help foster a positive, respectful, collaborative workplace culture where employees feel supported and accountable.
- Reinforce compliance with the Employee Handbook, Café Operations Manual, and all established policies and procedures.
- Participate in regular team meetings and help communicate operational updates, expectations, and priorities.

Product Quality, Inventory & Cost Control

- Ensure consistency in beverage preparation, recipes, presentation, portioning, and product quality.
- Assist with the preparation and oversight of house-made syrups, spreads, and other café-prepared products.
- Work closely with the Baking Team to maintain adequate product availability, attractive displays, and timely replenishment.
- Monitor inventory levels, assist with ordering and receiving deliveries, and ensure proper product rotation and storage.
- Help identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and control food and labor costs.
- Assist with maintaining accurate inventory records and communicating supply needs to the General Manager.
- Support the development and execution of seasonal beverages, specials, and new menu offerings.
- Collaborate with the General Manager, Baking Team, and ownership to ensure effective communication regarding product availability and café needs.

Sales, Marketing & Business Growth

- Support the General Manager in achieving sales goals, improving operational efficiency, and growing the café's business.
- Encourage suggestive selling, product knowledge, and customer engagement throughout the team.
- Assist with implementing promotional campaigns, seasonal offerings, and special events.
- Help ensure merchandise, bakery displays, menu boards, and promotional materials are accurate, attractive, and properly maintained.
- Share customer feedback, employee suggestions, and observations that may contribute to improved products, service, and sales.
- Support CSCA Café's social media and marketing initiatives as needed.

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

- Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and applicable local health department regulations.
- Monitor proper food handling, storage, labeling, allergen awareness, and temperature controls.
- Reinforce established cleaning schedules and maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout the café.
- Ensure equipment is used, cleaned, and maintained properly, and promptly communicate maintenance concerns.
- Promote a safe working environment and ensure employees follow established safety procedures.
- Help maintain required documentation, checklists, and operational records.

Collaboration & Other Responsibilities

- Maintain effective communication with the General Manager, ownership, Baking Team, and other CSCA departments.
- Support collaborative initiatives with CSCA's Academics and Student Life teams, including student learning opportunities when needed.
- Assist with special events, catering orders, and other café-related initiatives.
- Take initiative in identifying problems and recommending practical solutions.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the General Manager or ownership.

Requirements

- 2+ years of experience in a café, bakery, restaurant, or similar hospitality environment, including supervisory or shift leadership experience.
- Hands-on barista experience and proficiency with professional espresso equipment strongly preferred.
- Previous experience training, coaching, and supervising employees.
- ServSafe Food Manager certification or ability to obtain certification within a specified period.
- Strong customer service skills and a genuine passion for hospitality.
- Excellent organizational, multitasking, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective during busy service periods.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear direction and constructive feedback.
- Willingness to work alongside the team and assist wherever needed.
- Familiarity with POS systems, cash handling, inventory management, and basic administrative tasks.
- Comfort with Microsoft Office applications.
- High school diploma or GED required; education in Culinary/Pastry Arts, Hospitality, or Business Management preferred.
- Flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.
- Dependability, initiative, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining high standards.
- A positive, team-oriented attitude and the drive to help CSCA Café succeed.

Physical Demands

- Ability to lift and carry 25+ pounds.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, reach, and perform the physical tasks associated with café operations.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to safety and service standards.

Work Environment

- This position operates in a busy retail café, bakery, and food-service environment.
- The Assistant Manager is expected to be actively engaged in café operations and work alongside employees throughout scheduled shifts.
- Regular exposure to hot equipment, food preparation areas, and typical café working conditions.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

- Full-time position, generally 32 hours per week.
- Schedule based on café operating hours, staffing requirements, and business needs.
- Flexibility to work additional hours when necessary.
- Weekend and holiday availability required.
- The Assistant Manager must be available to open or close the café and serve as Manager on Duty when scheduled.

Benefits

- Competitive compensation
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Employee discounts at CSCA Café and Cambridge School of Culinary Arts
- Opportunities for professional development and advancement

Position Expectations

The Café Assistant Manager is expected to lead by example, demonstrate strong ownership of their responsibilities, and actively contribute to the success of CSCA Café.

This position requires someone who is equally comfortable directing a team, resolving a customer concern, preparing espresso beverages, cleaning a workstation, or stepping in wherever assistance is needed.

The Assistant Manager should be a reliable and trusted partner to the General Manager, helping maintain operational consistency, employee accountability, and the exceptional hospitality experience that defines CSCA Café.