Cafe Manager Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

We’re looking for a hands-on Café Manager to lead the daily operations of our busy breakfast and brunch café. This role is responsible for delivering an exceptional guest experience, developing a high-performing team, and ensuring operational excellence across both the front and back of house.

The Café Manager’s primary responsibility is running the café. Once the café is operating smoothly, this role will also provide approximately 10–12 hours per week of leadership and operational support to our bakery team. This includes partnering with the Bakery Manager to coach employees, improve communication, strengthen processes, and help develop a consistent, people-first culture across the business.

This is not a desk job. You’ll spend the majority of each shift on the floor—supporting the team, interacting with guests, jumping behind the espresso bar or onto the line when needed, and ensuring every service runs smoothly. We’re looking for a strong people leader who enjoys developing teams, solving problems, and leading by example.

• Lead smooth, efficient shifts while delivering exceptional hospitality during high-volume breakfast and brunch service.

• Ensure every guest receives friendly, attentive service and personally resolve guest concerns when needed.

• Open and/or close the café, including cash handling, deposits, and daily reconciliation.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment that exceeds health department and food safety standards.

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve service, efficiency, and the overall guest experience.

• Step onto the cook line during busy periods to support the kitchen and keep ticket times on track.

• Provide breaks and coverage for kitchen team members as needed.

• Monitor food quality, consistency, presentation, and portion control.

• Ensure prep levels support anticipated business volume while minimizing waste.

• Work the espresso bar during peak periods as needed.

• Maintain high standards for beverage quality and consistency.

• Train and coach baristas on espresso preparation, drink recipes, equipment maintenance, and speed of service.

• Recruit, hire, onboard, schedule, train, and develop front- and back-of-house employees.

• Create labor schedules that align staffing with business volume while meeting labor cost goals.

• Foster a positive, accountable, and collaborative team culture centered on hospitality and continuous improvement.

• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, recognition, and performance management.

• Partner with the Bakery Manager to provide approximately 10–12 hours per week of operational and leadership support to the bakery team.

• Coach and mentor bakery supervisors and team members, helping build leadership capability, accountability, and employee engagement.

• Support staffing, onboarding, training, and employee development initiatives across both the café and bakery as business needs require.

• Foster strong communication and collaboration between the café and bakery teams to ensure a seamless guest experience.

• Manage labor, food, and beverage costs to achieve profitability goals.

• Order food, beverages, and supplies while maintaining strong vendor relationships.

• Receive deliveries, manage inventory levels, and minimize waste through effective inventory control.

• Review daily sales and operational metrics, identify trends, and make adjustments to achieve weekly and monthly goals.

• 2+ years of restaurant or café management experience, preferably in a high-volume breakfast, brunch, or full-service environment.

• Hands-on kitchen experience with the ability to confidently work a cook station during peak service.

• Barista experience, including preparing espresso beverages and coaching others.

• Strong understanding of labor management, scheduling, food cost, inventory control, and restaurant operations.

• Exceptional people leadership skills with a proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, POS systems, scheduling software, and the ability to quickly learn new technology.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience with POS systems, cash handling, and operational reporting.

• ServSafe Manager Certification, or the ability to obtain certification prior to employment.

• Experience with Toast POS.

• Experience with scheduling, payroll, and other restaurant administrative responsibilities.

• Familiarity with Mexican breakfast cuisine and traditional preparations.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

• Experience managing an independently owned café or restaurant.

• Early morning availability is required.

• Weekend and holiday availability is essential, as these are our busiest times.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout each shift.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hot kitchen environment.

• Competitive salary

• Performance-based incentive opportunities

• Equity ownership opportunity in the business

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• 401(k) company match

• Paid time off

• Employee discount

• Full-time

• 8-hour shifts

• Early mornings required

• Weekend availability required

• Holiday availability required

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a growing, community-focused business. You’ll lead an exceptional café team while helping strengthen the broader organization through leadership and coaching. If you’re a hands-on leader who loves hospitality, enjoys developing people, and thrives in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to meet you.