A Restaurant or Food Service Manager oversees daily operations at a restaurant or an institution that serves meals such as a college or hospital. Hires, trains and supervises food service workers, manages meal and work schedules, supervises supply orders, food preparation and the quality of food and service, and monitors compliance with health regulations.
About Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe is an imaginative, clean, and engaging indoor play space for children paired with a full-service espresso bar and cafe serving high-quality coffee, specialty drinks, and food for parents and caregivers. Role Overview As our Cafe Manager, you are a senior level employee and the operational leader of our entire food and beverage program, reporting directly to the Owner & CEO. You will oversee daily front-of-house cafe operations, lead the kitchen and barista team, manage strict food safety and drink quality standards, control food/beverage inventory, and capture engaging social media content to promote our cafe offerings. This role is heavily integrated into our Coffee & Espresso management, working with our local roaster to ensure quality and inventory is well maintained.
Benefits & Compensation Pay Rate:
$21.00•$28.00 per hour (commensurate with experience).
Health Benefits Reimbursement:
Monthly tax-free health insurance stipend provided through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA/ICHRA) to help cover individual health plan premiums.
Perks:
Discounts on drinks, food, pastries, and retail items, plus employee perks on play passes and birthday parties. Ideal Candidate You are a warm, organized, and proactive leader who thrives in a family-friendly environment. You understand that our cafe is a sanctuary for parents, and you are dedicated to creating high-quality, consistent experiences for every guest. You bring a blend of operational discipline—ensuring everything runs safely and efficiently—with a creative eye for social media storytelling. You know and love coffee, espresso machines, menu development. You are energized by the fast pace of a morning rush, patient during the midday lull, and eager to build a welcoming community hub. If you love coffee, caring for others, and managing the moving parts of a bustling kitchen, you will fit right in. You are also a patient person willing to learn and grow with the business as it ebbs and flows. You must have extensive coffee and barista experience.
Active/current and must maintain throughout employment. ServSafe Food Handler /
Prep Certification:
Active/current and must maintain (or covered via Manager certification). CPR /
First Aid Certification:
Active/current or obtained within 30 days of hire.
Management Experience:
Minimum 2+ years of direct supervisory or management experience in a food service environment (cafe, restaurant, deli, or bakery) with direct responsibility for food prep, health codes, inventory, and staff management. Key Responsibilities 1. Food & Beverage Management & Quality Control Oversee the daily preparation, plating, presentation, and safety of all food, bakery, snack, and beverage items. Enforce exact portioning, recipe accuracy, and safe food-handling practices across all shift team members. Manage the rotation, stocking, and visual presentation of food display cases, grab-and-go units, refrigerators, freezers, and bakery items to minimize waste and ensure maximum freshness. 2. Content Creation & Social Media Marketing Capture high-quality photos and short-form video (Reels, TikToks, Stories) featuring seasonal drinks, food items, bakery specials, and behind-the-scenes cafe energy. Collaborate with the Owner to plan, post, and execute cafe-related social media content and promotional campaigns. Highlight new menu rollouts, daily specials, and cafe events on digital channels to drive foot traffic and guest engagement. 3. Inventory, Purchasing & Cost Control Conduct weekly inventory counts for all food ingredients, pastries/bakery items, coffee, dairy/alternatives, paper goods, packaging, and cleaning/sanitation supplies. Manage vendor relationships, place timely food and beverage supply orders, and control Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) through proactive waste tracking and portion control. Receive food deliveries, ensuring proper temp checks, safe storage, date-labeling, and FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation. 4. Team Leadership, Training & Operations Lead daily shifts, direct team workflows across both the food prep area and espresso bar, and maintain warm, fast-paced customer service. Train, mentor, and hold staff accountable to strict health department standards, food assembly procedures, and barista craft standards. Oversee opening/closing checklists, line checks, equipment maintenance, and prep schedules. 5. Food Safety, Sanitation & Health Compliance Maintain strict, non-negotiable compliance with local health department regulations and food safety guidelines. Keep the prep kitchen, food assembly line, espresso bar, dry storage, refrigeration units, dish station, and customer seating areas spotlessly clean, sanitized, and organized. Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours per shift). Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver up to 40 lbs (e.g., food inventory boxes, milk crates, syrup cases, stock deliveries). Bending, reaching, stooping, and repetitive hand/wrist motions required for food preparation, drink crafting, and kitchen sanitation. Additional Qualifications Proven experience in food preparation, kitchen food safety, and managing food cost/waste in a restaurant or cafe setting. An eye for aesthetic food/beverage photography and experience creating engaging social media content (Instagram, Facebook). Hands-on familiarity operating and maintaining commercial kitchen and cafe equipment (espresso machines, grinders, commercial refrigeration, hot/cold prep stations, and dish washing stations). Proficiency with Point-of-Sale (POS) and inventory management software. Strong conflict-resolution skills and a calm, decisive leadership presence during fast-paced food and drink rushes. Pre-Opening Phase & Schedule Expectations Pre-Opening Month (Onboarding & Setup Phase): Prior to our official grand opening, employment will begin with part-time/reduced hours focused on onboarding, setup, vendor integration, recipe testing, menu development, staff training, and pre-opening content creation. Final dates to be determined with the final candidate: September 15•October 15th is estimated pre-opening month. Post-Opening Schedule (Regular Operations):
Type:
Full-Time (35-40 hours per week).
Schedule Expectations:
Weekend availability is required (weekend morning/afternoon shifts during peak play and cafe hours).
Shift Breakdown:
Includes opening/closing shifts, peak meal/snack rushes, and weekend coverage. Exact schedules will be set in advance, but flexibility during peak business periods is essential.
Hire/Start Date:
Estimated•September 15, 2026 to September 30, 2026 How to Apply If you are excited to join the Whimsy & Wonder team, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant management experience to info@whimsyandwonderplaycafe.com . Please include "Cafe Manager Application•[Your Name]" in the subject line. We look forward to hearing from you!
