Assistant Cafe Manager

About the RoleMakeworth is an independent cafe and speciality coffee roastery in Bellingham, WA with a team that takes both coffee and culture seriously. We're hiring an Assistant Cafe Manager to join our leadership team someone who's ready to run strong shifts, develop the people around them, and grow into broader responsibility over time.

This is a real leadership role with a clear path upward, and you'll be the first in line when Cafe Manager and other leadership positions open as we grow.

What You'll DoOn the floor:

Run shifts end-to-end, serving as the primary point of contact in the Cafe Manager's absenceUphold high standards for beverage, food, and service qualityCoach and support team members in real time leading by example on pace, professionalism, and careManage cafe flow during peaks and make operational calls on the flyHandle opens and closes, cash reconciliation, and POS accuracyRespond to and resolve guest concerns quickly and professionallyOff the floor (dedicated leadership time):

Assist with scheduling, inventory, and vendor communicationsSupport training, onboarding, and performance feedback for team membersTrack daily sales reports and flag discrepancies to the Cafe ManagerMonitor food and beverage costs and help reduce wasteCoordinate the Cafe Artist Program managing artist relationships, display rotations, and incoming requestsContribute to team culture through community-building efforts and management-level participationWhat We're Looking ForExperience in cafe, restaurant, or hospitality leadership (preferred, not required if you're the right person)Strong communication and problem-solving skills you stay composed when things get busyA genuine interest in developing people, not just managing themFlexible availability including weekends and holidaysFamiliarity with POS systems, scheduling tools, or inventory management is a plusKnowledge of coffee and food service standards is a plus

Physical:

Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

CompensationWe believe in being straightforward about pay, so here's how this role actually works:

Base rate: $23 - $27/hr, depending on experience and readiness for leadership responsibility

Tips:

ACMs participate in the tip pool during customer-facing shifts total hourly earnings during floor shifts are significantly higher than base pay (~$10-12/hr)

Leadership Premium:

During scheduled non-floor leadership hours, ACMs receive an additional $10/hr on top of base pay to offset foregone tips and reflect the responsibility of that workPay progression is performance-based, not tenure-based moving from entry to strong/high-performing ACM is tied to how you lead, not how long you've been hereAdditional perks:

Expanded free coffee and product access beyond already generous employee perksEligibility for discretionary bonuses tied to business performance and your contributionParticipation in management meetings and real exposure to business operations and financialsPriority consideration for Cafe Manager and other leadership roles as Makeworth grows