Cafe Manager

Drifter Ferments is a fermented foods company in the Hudson Valley. Since 2021, our brick & mortar in Warwick, NY has been where neighbors, weekend travelers, and fellow fermenters come for local grocery items, fermented foods, small bites and great coffee. We're seeking an experienced and passionate Cafe Manager to lead our operations, develop a team, deliver exceptional customer service, and assure the highest quality of all items sold at our store. The cafe is a mere 350 square feet, but it is bustling and we are in need of someone who can bring consistency and reliability to its day-to-day needs. As cafe manager, you’ll greet customers, help create a warm and friendly work culture, and be hands-on in all aspects of the business, from taking customer orders and operating the espresso machine to tracking inventory and reporting weekly sales. You will also maintain ownership of the cafe menus, providing regular updates based on seasonality, industry trends, and inventory changes, as well as seeing that all menu items are accurately priced to support cost targets.This role requires a hands-on, emotionally intelligent leader who understands that exceptional businesses run on thoughtful service, attention to detail, genuine connections, and a team that takes pride in quality and works with integrity.RESPONSIBILITIES:Beverage & Counter ServiceMake espresso drinks, teas, and other beverages.Prepare and serve our small food menu of toasts, baked goods, and other simple items.Plan the seasonal drink menu, develop and test new drinks, work out cost and pricing, and train the team on each launch.Greet customers, take orders, run the POS, handle cash and card sales, and balance the till at close.Learn our products, offer samples, and talk with customers about the flavor profiles of each to help them find something they'll love.Follow food safety practices, including temperature checks, labeling, and sanitation, and keep the refrigerators clean & tidy.Retail, Inventory, and OrderingTrack inventory of retail items, raw ingredients and packaging. Place and manage orders with vendors, distributors, and our production team. Stock without overbuying, watch best-by dates, and rotate stock.Merchandise the retail shelves and fridge, keep pricing and labels accurate, and report weekly & monthly sales.Receive deliveries, check them against orders, and flag shortages or damage.Hiring and TrainingRecruit, interview, and hire staff.Onboard new hires and train them on recipes, POS, food safety, opening and closing, and inventory routines.Keep our training materials up to date.Give regular feedback, coach the team, and address performance or attendance concerns early and kindly.Operations and customer serviceOpen and close the shop, and keep it clean, organized, and inspection-ready.Set the weekly schedule and keep every shift covered.Cross-train in every café role so you can cover shifts and step in at any moment.Handle customer concerns quickly and warmly, and pass feedback along to the owner.Document specials, seasonal items, and café happenings, and share updates with our marketing team.Keep daily sales, cash, and waste records. Flag issues.QUALIFICATIONS:RequirementsExperience tracking inventory and ordering for a retail or food service business, including counting stock, setting reorder levels, and working with vendors.Experience hiring, training, and supervising staff, including interviewing, onboarding, and scheduling.Two or more years in a café, coffee shop, retail shop, or similar customer-facing role.Barista skills, or the ability to learn ours quickly, and comfort preparing simple food items.A good palate and a real interest in managing drink specials and crafting new drink items, from testing recipes to costing and pricing them.Excellent customer service, with the calm to handle a busy counter and a difficult moment equally well.Solid operations sense: opening and closing procedures, cash handling, scheduling, and keeping records accurate.Comfort with POS systems, basic inventory software, spreadsheets and email.Ability to work weekends and some holidays, to stand for long shifts, and to lift up to 40 pounds.Interest in fermented foods or organic + local foods, and the ability to talk about them with customers.What sets you apartYou take ownership: you see what needs doing and do it without waiting to be asked.You'd rather be on the floor with customers than tucked in the back office.You notice the details, like a low shelf, a soon-to-expire jar, or a customer who looks lost.You get excited about a new syrup or a seasonal ingredient.You like following a system, and you improve it when you see a better way.You care about local food, small makers, and a community gathering place.COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, AND OPTIONAL HOUSING:The salary range is $45,000–$55,000 a year, depending on your experience.Affordable housing is available in the same building as the cafe. Rent is $850 a month plus electric for a one-bedroom apartment. Internet and heat is included.Benefits and perksTwo weeks of paid time off a year available to use after six months of employmentBeginning in 2027, a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 2% employer match20% off in the shop, and the option to buy ingredients and retail items at cost.Free ferments2 drinks per shiftHOW TO APPLY:Email drifterferments@gmail.com with your resume and a short note about yourself and why you think you’d be a great fit for the position.

Location: 2 Oakland Ave, Warwick, NY 10990Schedule: Full-time (40 hours weekly), including weekends.

Shifts are 8:30-3:30.Drifter Ferments is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants.