General Cafe Manager

Job Description TITLE: Café Bakery Manager DATE: 9/3/2026 DEPARTMENT: Salary APPROVED BY: APPROVED DATE: Job Summary CSCA 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. Own day-to-day café operations,
Recruit, hire, onboard, and train baristas and support staff
Lead, train, and develop a team of Shift Leads, Baristas, and support staff
Build fiscally responsible schedules that keep the café sufficiently, yet efficiently covered, even when someone calls out
Manage vendor relationships, ordering, and inventory — and keep waste in check
Partner with our Executive Pastry Chef, Production Lead, and ownership on menu development and seasonal specials
Work with your barista team to develop trendy and unique seasonal drink specials
Monitor budgets and sales performance, and find smart ways to control costs
Collaborate with the marketing team on promotions and events
Keep the cafe spotless, welcoming, and up to health and safety code
Create a culture of hospitality that is second to none
Partner with CSCA's Academics and Student Life teams to support student learning opportunities as needed
3+ 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 preferred
~ A ServSafe Food Manager certification (or equivalent)
~ Comfort with MS Office
~ a degree in Culinary/Pastry Arts, Business Administration, or Business Management is preferred
~ Availability to work within café hours, including weekends and holidays
~ This job operates in a retail/restaurant environment

This is a full-time, salaried position
Work hours are 40+ hours per week
Competitive, bonus-eligible salary
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off
Employee discounts
Real opportunities for professional growth