Assistant Manager

About Us

Dear Mama is a love letter to the women and communities who raised us, and to the spirit of care that holds people together. The cafe and our approach to hospitality is inspired by the generations of women who have collectively shaped us, and the larger village that raised us as native New Yorkers in multigenerational neighborhoods with extended family, neighbors, and chosen kin who taught us what it means to show up, feed people, and lead with love.

We are looking for an Assistant Manager to contribute to our soulful hospitality, and work with us to continue to elevate our coffee and cafe menus that pair with a bar program curated by owner Zach Sharaga, who was the founder of NYT-acclaimed of the jazz bar Louis 649, and co-owner of MACE, recognized as one of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the World. We are nestled amongst the Columbia University buildings of its Manhattanville campus that serves as an anchor for the Harlem West community.

Job Details

Dear Mama NYC is an all-day cafe nestled on Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus just 1 block from 125th stop on the 1 train. The cafe is built in a glass-walled atrium with an open kitchen for a relaxed and sun-filled atmosphere where the staff and guests feel like a family. We are in search of an Assistant Manager who is inspired by the environment to create operational structures for the business while being in service with our team and be an impassioned partner in our growth plan. You’ll work directly with the Owner and Beverage & Service Director to refine our processes and help to lead the team into its next chapter.

Reporting Structure & Authority

This role reports directly to the Owner and works in close partnership with the Beverage & Service Director. Final authority on financial decisions, disciplinary action, and strategic direction remains with ownership.

What You’ll Do

Scope Guardrail: This is a hands-on Assistant Manager role focused on execution and team leadership; it is not a General Manager position. Job responsibilities may evolve based on operational needs. Any material changes will be discussed in advance.

Hospitality, Service and Operations

• Half of your day will be spent in service, supporting the team and creating a warm guest experience.
• Embodying Dear Mama’s culture and hospitality through each interaction
• Acting as the host during the lunch and evening rushes
• Support the team during closing and ensure all checklists are completed
• Attend weekly strategy meetings with the owner and Director to discuss goals and paths to implement new processes, initiatives and menu items.
• Build and manage front-of-house & back-of-house staff schedules
• Administer payroll in collaboration with the Owner
• You’ll collaborate with the Events Manager to support front-of-house operations, staffing and service for onsite and offsite events.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Manage and strengthen vendor relationships
• Inventory and ordering for all FOH items including paper products, chemicals, alcohol and N/A bev, coffee, tea, milks, merch
• Control food & labor costs in line with budget projections, aiming to hit below them. Working closely with Owner to strategize on being nimble and creative with reaching set goals.
• Stocktaking ingredients and equipment, placing orders as needed
• Manage labor cost and sales projections

Food Safety & Quality

• Implement and enforce best practices for sanitation and all DOH standards
• An A grade is a non-negotiable requirement
• Manage the overall responsibility of proper storing procedures, orders, costs, equipment, sanitation and hygiene to Company and local standards

Team Leadership & Management

• Hire, train, schedule and mentor front-of-house staff
• Work closely with back-of-house for seamless guest experience
• Enforce Company Handbook policies, procedures daily

Partner with Key Stakeholders to foster growth and build community

• Evaluate new menu items, costing, purchasing, programming, training and overall execution of a successful dining experience that delights our guests.
• Develop relationships with local stakeholders and the broader community to increase organizational visibility
• Contribute to a culture that believes
• hospitality is a craft, not a script
• food can be clean and indulgent at the same time
• consistency creates trust, and trust creates scale
• joy is essential, not extra

Who You Are

• You lead by example for a small, but mighty team, to deliver exceptional hospitality and service for an all-day cafe menu for dine-in and to go orders
• You delight in collaboration and will build an environment that encourages curiosity, experimentation, collaboration and personal growth
• You believe that effective system management, strong execution skills, and dynamic team management will propel the business forward and invite new opportunities for expansion, potentially to other locations.
• You embody the idea that teamwork and synergy exists between the front and back of house staff through proper communication, and seamlessly delegate tasks to ensure smooth service and kitchen operations

How Success Is Measured

• Consistent achievement of weekly labor targets
• Clean NYC Department of Health inspections with no critical violations
• Accurate and timely scheduling and payroll administration
• Reduced front-of-house turnover
• Positive guest feedback during peak service periods

Your Skills

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team
• Operational Efficiency: Ability to work under pressure, multitask, and solve problems calmly and professionally.
• Data driven: Analytical and fluent with numbers to support the business with actuals to meet projections and the bottom line.
• Creativity & Problem Solving: A creative mind for menu design and recipe development.
• Compliance: Thorough understanding of NYC food safety standards and regulations.
• Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively coordinate with staff and other departments.
• Attention to Detail: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Your Expertise & Background

• 3-4 years experience working in volume restaurant
• DOH Food Handlers Certification
• A doer and teacher, equally comfortable in service or leading training
• Experience managing P&L's, labor, purchasing, vendors and quality control while providing results in revenue
• Collaborative, with strong communication and organizational skills
• Passionate about quality food & beverage and sustainable business practices
• Someone motivated to take ownership of their work and contribute meaningfully to a growing, community-centered business.
• This role requires the ability to move, pull, push, carry, or lift up to 30 pounds and to meet the physical demands of an 8-hour shift in a restaurant environment. These are essential job functions.

Compensation Details

• Annual starting salary range $67,000 - $80,000 based on experience
• Opportunity for discretionary, performance-based bonus or long-term incentive participation, subject to business performance and written agreement.
• This position is intended to be an exempt, salaried management role under applicable federal, New York State, and New York City wage and hour laws. Final classification will be confirmed at time of offer.

Benefits and Perks

• Excited to be an advocate for community and continuing to build Dear Mama NYC as an anchor to the Harlem communities that we have served for the past decade.
• Work and collaborate with a passionate and kind team
• 40 hours of paid time off (PTO) granted after six months of employment in good standing, to be used in accordance with company policy.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Light-filled, open dining room work environment
• Reliable 40-50 hour work week - this position is scheduled for evenings and weekends.
• Daily manager meal
• Five (5) paid sick days in compliance with NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time requirements.
• This role will be scheduled to work on weekends and closing shifts (12pm - 9pm).