Cafe Manager

We’re Daeji Dough Company, Lakeview’s newest neighborhood bakery. We started out as a farmers market stand over a year ago and are thrilled to open our doors to the Chicago community. We make handcrafted baked goods and beverages with fun, delicious flavor combinations and the highest quality ingredients. And we’re looking for like-minded individuals with a desire to make a real, day-to-day impact as we build our start-up from the ground up.

Daeji Dough Company is looking for a manager to lead our guest experience and operations. You will be responsible for overseeing all daily FOH activities, ensuring seamless service, managing and mentoring the FOH team, and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and logistics. This is a hands-on full-time, salary, leadership position that requires a passion for food, people, and fast-paced environments.

You will

• Recruit, hire, and supervise qualified personnel, ensuring their seamless integration into the team
• Demonstrate exemplary behavior and consistently set high standards as a role model for team members, continuously striving for improvement
• Plan, communicate, and delegate appropriate responsibilities and practices to staff to achieve operational goals
• Foster a culture of curiosity and ongoing learning by participating in tastings and training to deepen understanding of coffee and tea
• Hold quarterly all-staff meetings and maintain strong, open lines of communication
• Promptly address guest concerns within the bakery
• Continuously review and support ongoing operations to identify problems, concerns, and opportunities for improvement
• Oversee service flow to uphold optimal levels of safety, cleanliness, quality, and efficiency
• Execute essential operational duties, including ordering, receiving, and managing inventory
• Prepare, monitor, and manage staffing levels and schedules, identifying efficiency opportunities without sacrificing operations
• Ensure the cafe’s interior and exterior are clean, organized, and attractive
• Ensure compliance with company standards and safety protocols; foster continuous improvement through constructive feedback to promote a safe and respectful workplace
• Report incidents of illness and injury as per protocol
• Participate in the development of the bakery’s budget, identify quarterly goals and objectives, and actively contribute to sales growth initiatives
• Lead efforts to achieve company-wide sustainability objectives, actively engaging the team in these initiatives
• Develop and execute new products and seasonal menu items that align with the brand and aesthetics
• Perform additional front-of-house tasks as assigned

You are:

• A leader who is passionate about training and developing a team
• Aware of your impact on others and proactively seeking regular feedback for continuous personal and professional improvement
• A strong communicator capable of providing impactful and motivating feedback to improve the team’s service delivery (beverage, food, and hospitality)
• Always curious and excited to find new ways to elevate our guest experience
• Savvy with resources, demonstrating the ability to make sound decisions and effectively problem-solve
• Able to multitask and manage multiple priorities simultaneously, thriving in a high-pressure environment
• Dedicated to both your team and guests, valuing empathy as a guide for all interactions
• Eligible to work in the United States and 18 years of age or older

You have:

• Experience in team leadership
• Existing Food Manager Certification
• Basic math and computer skills
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, lift up to 50 lbs, frequent walking, bending, reaching, twisting
• Ability to smell and taste our products to ensure quality control for all beverages and food products
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen and speak clearly to take orders, guide guests, and create positive experiences.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• A flexible schedule and are available to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays

A few benefits we offer:

• Paid time off & sick leave
• Discounts on products
• Free food and drinks during shifts for staff
• Rapid career advancement and learning opportunities
• Health Insurance stipend
• Innovative, positive, and supportive work environment
• Collaborative and close-knit culture