Cambridge School of Culinary Arts Cafe Manager

Job DescriptionTITLE:Café Bakery ManagerDATE:9/3/2026DEPARTMENT:OperationsFLSA STATUS:ExemptREPORTS TO:Owner/DirectorLABOR GRADE:SalaryAPPROVED BY:APPROVED DATE:Job SummaryCSCA Café is a café and bakery in Cambridge, MA, run 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 that are all made from scratch, in-house, by CSCA's culinary talent. We pride ourselves on providing top-notch service, the highest quality products, showcasing the work of CSCA's Professional students, and creating a community space where customers can relax and enjoy their favorite beverages and baked goods.The Café Bakery Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the café bakery, leading a team of baristas, and partnering with our pastry chefs to ensure exceptional customer service, efficient operations, and high-quality product delivery. This role involves managing staff, scheduling, inventory, budgets, and maintaining a welcoming, spotless environment for customers.To be successful in this role, you should have proven experience managing in a café, bakery, or restaurant setting. Ultimately, you will help increase profitability, boost customer engagement, and build a culture of hospitality that keeps CSCA Café the favorite neighborhood spot.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesOwn day-to-day café operations, Recruit, hire, onboard, and train baristas and support staffLead, train, and develop a team of Shift Leads, Baristas, and support staffBuild fiscally responsible schedules that keep the café sufficiently, yet efficiently covered, even when someone calls outManage vendor relationships, ordering, and inventory — and keep waste in checkPartner with our Executive Pastry Chef, Production Lead, and ownership on menu development and seasonal specialsWork with your barista team to develop trendy and unique seasonal drink specialsMonitor budgets and sales performance, and find smart ways to control costsCollaborate with the marketing team on promotions and eventsKeep the cafe spotless, welcoming, and up to health and safety codeTurn customer feedback into action — and turn first-time visitors into regularsCreate a culture of hospitality that is second to nonePartner with CSCA's Academics and Student Life teams to support student learning opportunities as neededRequirements3+ years of experience in cafe, bakery, or restaurant management (required: managerial experience in food or hospitality)Previous Hands-on experience with professional coffee equipment, Barista experience preferredA ServSafe Food Manager certification (or equivalent)Strong organizational skills — able to juggle a rush, a delivery, and a scheduling gap all at onceA genuine, customer-first attitude and leadership skills to bring a team along with youComfort with MS OfficeHigh school diploma or GED required; a degree in Culinary/Pastry Arts, Business Administration, or Business Management is preferredAvailability to work within café hours, including weekends and holidaysThe drive to do whatever it takes to succeedPhysical DemandsThe ability to lift 25+ pounds and stand for long periods of timeWork EnvironmentThis job operates in a retail/restaurant environmentPosition Type and Expected Hours of WorkThis is a full-time, salaried positionWork hours are 40+ hours per weekSchedule based on operating hours and business needsBenefitsCompetitive, bonus-eligible salaryHealth, dental, and vision insurancePaid time offEmployee discountsReal opportunities for professional growth