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Cafe & Retail Market Manager

San Diego, California

Compensation: $5,858 to $5,988 per month

BENEFITS

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

University Retirement Contribution

Paid Time Off

Ten Paid Holidays

Professional Development & Tuition Opportunities

Access to On-Campus Fitness Centers

Advancement Opportunities

Employee Discounts

Complimentary Shift Meals

Uniform Provided

Minimal Late Night Hours

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an energetic and guest-focused Cafe & Retail Market Manager to oversee the daily operations of Tu Mercado, a vibrant campus marketplace located at the University of San Diego.

Tu Mercado is much more than a convenience store. It combines a neighborhood café, grab-and-go market, deli, coffee destination, and campus retail shop into one welcoming environment serving students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors throughout the day.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality or retail leader who enjoys working with people, leading teams, creating exceptional guest experiences, and managing a business that blends café service with retail operations.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Cafe & Retail Market Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of Tu Mercado, including its café, fresh grab-and-go offerings, deli items, coffee program, snacks, beverages, convenience merchandise, school essentials, and retail displays.

This leader will oversee staffing, merchandising, inventory management, financial performance, food safety, and guest satisfaction while creating a clean, welcoming, and engaging shopping experience for every guest.

The ideal candidate enjoys leading from the floor, coaching employees, improving operations, and delivering outstanding customer service in a fast-paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Leadership

Oversee all daily café and retail market operations

Lead front-of-house service while maintaining exceptional hospitality standards

Ensure fresh food, grab-and-go products, beverages, and retail merchandise are consistently stocked, organized, and presented

Monitor product quality, freshness, cleanliness, and visual merchandising

Coordinate daily opening, closing, and operational procedures

Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting environment throughout the market

Retail & Merchandising

Manage retail merchandising, seasonal displays, and promotional initiatives

Ensure shelves, coolers, and displays remain fully stocked and visually appealing

Monitor inventory levels and coordinate product ordering

Partner with vendors and suppliers to maximize product selection and availability

Identify opportunities to improve product assortment and guest satisfaction

Café & Guest Experience

Deliver an outstanding café and retail experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors

Support coffee, deli, and fresh food operations while maintaining speed and quality

Resolve guest concerns professionally and create positive customer interactions

Promote a welcoming environment that encourages repeat business and community engagement

Financial & Inventory Management

Manage inventory, purchasing, labor scheduling, and operating expenses

Monitor sales performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability

Maintain accurate inventory controls while minimizing waste and product loss

Review operational reports and implement action plans to improve performance

Team Leadership

Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop team members

Create employee schedules that support operational needs

Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching

Build a positive culture focused on teamwork, accountability, and exceptional guest service

Develop future supervisors and leaders

Food Safety & Compliance

Maintain the highest standards of food safety and sanitation

Ensure compliance with university policies and health department regulations

Monitor temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and food handling procedures

Maintain a safe environment for both guests and employees

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, Food Service Management, Retail Management, or a related field preferred

Equivalent leadership experience will be considered

Minimum four years of retail, café, coffee shop, grocery, hospitality, or food service management experience

Minimum three years of leadership experience

Experience managing café operations, grab-and-go food service, convenience retail, specialty grocery, or similar environments preferred

Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor, inventory, purchasing, and operating costs

Knowledge of merchandising, inventory management, and customer service best practices

Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Food Service Manager Certification required

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and campus special events

IDEAL BACKGROUNDS

Coffee Shops

Campus Dining

University Retail

Grab-and-Go Markets

Specialty Grocery

Whole Foods

Trader Joe's

Sprouts Farmers Market

Starbucks

Peet's Coffee

Airport Retail

Hotel Marketplace Operations

Fresh Food Markets

Fast Casual Restaurant Management

Retail Food Service

WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY STANDS OUT

This is an outstanding opportunity to lead one of the University of San Diego's most popular campus destinations. Tu Mercado combines the energy of a neighborhood café with the convenience of a retail market, offering fresh food, coffee, grab-and-go meals, snacks, beverages, and campus essentials in a welcoming environment.

You'll have the opportunity to lead a close-knit team, make a meaningful impact on the campus community, enjoy exceptional university benefits, and build a long-term career with one of the nation's premier higher education dining programs.