Cafe Manager

About Stone Street Cafe

Stone Street Cafe is a neighborhood coffee spot in the heart of Lower Manhattan, serving quality coffee, fresh food, and a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike. We're looking for a hands-on manager to run day-to-day operations, lead our team, and keep the cafe running smoothly and profitably.

The Role

As Cafe Manager, you'll own the operational, financial, and people-management side of the cafe. You'll lead a small team, keep our shelves stocked and our costs in check, and make sure every guest has a great experience. This is a leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced food-service environment and takes pride in running a tight, well-organized operation.

Responsibilities

​•​ Team leadership: Hire, train, schedule, and supervise baristas and front-of-house staff; set the tone for a positive, high-performing workplace.

​•​ Inventory management: Track stock levels, set and maintain par levels, place and reconcile orders, minimize waste, and manage vendor relationships — all using inventory management software.

​•​ Financial oversight: Handle daily cash management and register reconciliation, control labor and cost-of-goods within clear monthly targets (COGS% and labor cost%), and work toward budget and margin goals.

​•​ Customer experience: Ensure consistent, high-quality service and resolve guest issues promptly and professionally.

​•​ Quality control: Maintain standards for food and beverage quality, presentation, and consistency.

​•​ Compliance: Uphold NYC Department of Health standards for food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety.

​•​ Daily operations: Manage opening and closing procedures, POS systems, equipment upkeep, and general facilities.

​•​ Reporting: Monitor sales, labor, and inventory data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

Requirements

​•​3+ years of management experience in a cafe, coffee shop, restaurant, or similar food-service setting.

​•​ Exceptionally organized, structured, and detail-oriented — you build and stick to systems for inventory, ordering, and scheduling, and you catch the small things before they become problems.

​•​ Hands-on experience with inventory management software (e.g., MarginEdge)

​•​ Proven ability to lead, schedule, and develop a team.

​•​ Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, and health-code compliance.

​•​ NYC Food Protection Certificate, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

​•​ Comfort with POS systems and basic business/financial reporting.

​•​ Availability for early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

​•​ Excellent communication skills and a calm, solutions-oriented approach under pressure.

Nice to Have

​•​ Specialty coffee or barista background.

​•​ Experience managing vendor contracts and negotiating pricing.

​•​ Can communicate in Spanish

​•​ Familiarity with scheduling and payroll tools.

What We Offer

​•​$18–$21 per hour, plus tips (approximately $400–$500 per week in tips)

​•​ Meal benefits during shifts

​•​ Free coffee

​•​ Advancement opportunities as the cafe grows — a clear, performance-based path to take on more responsibility for the right person

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief note about your experience to [email protected] with the subject line “Cafe Manager — Stone Street Cafe.”

Stone Street Cafe is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.