We’re Hiring a Café Manager!
TO APPLY: Please send your resume and letter of interest to cafe@thearcadiaproject.org
INTRODUCTION
The historic theater at 125 E. Beverley Street in downtown Staunton is being transformed into an adaptive mixed-use facility featuring: a movie theater; an event space to host conferences, events, and performing arts; digital media classrooms; and a specialty food café.
The space will bring a dynamic range of programming that instills curiosity and fosters community. We aspire to create an accessible, welcoming environment that affirms the belief that the arts belong to everyone.
The café is situated at the entrance of the building with a 291 sq. ft. serving space. and two adjacent seating areas (1076 sq. ft.) that accommodate 36. An additional 136 sq. ft. commercial cold prep kitchen is located in the rear of the building.
The café will offer a convenient location to grab a bite or a beverage before, during, or after a show, and also during the day. As the entry point to our entertainment and education center, this gathering spot will welcome local people and visitors as they sample what Staunton has to offer. Our theater is located on Staunton’s historic main street, near the Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton’s renowned Shakespeare theatre.
Arcadia Project is seeking a manager to operate an innovative hospitality concept, blending a warm daytime café experience with an elegant evening atmosphere featuring curated beverages and light bites. An ideal candidate will work collaboratively with programming and event space managers, create a welcoming guest experience, manage and develop employees, drive sales, and maintain high standards.
Additional information on the vision for the theater is available at www.thearcadiaproject.org.
JOB DESCRIPTION
KEY DUTIES: (include but are not limited to the following)
Operations & Guest Experience
- Manage all aspects of cafe operations, including food quality and safety, cleanliness and sanitation, organization, stock, equipment, etc.
- Prepare and cook high quality food to meet demands of the Cafe and Catering events in a timely fashion, exceeding customers expectations.
- Interact with customers, working the counter as well as the line.
- Place weekly orders for food and supplies.
- Monitor and respond to emails and social media messages.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting environment.
Team Leadership & Development
- Partner with vendors and suppliers, and others who provide goods and services to the cafe.
- Recruit, hire, train, and coach team members, creating and maintaining a positive team culture.
- Review and provide feedback and recognition on employee performance.
- Schedule staff efficiently while meeting guests’ expectations.
- Coordinate activities with other Arcadia Project programs and events in the shared space
Finances
- Meet or exceed sales and labor targets.
- Review daily/weekly/monthly reports to drive business performance.
- Manage, update, and oversee cafe-related data, including net profits, daily cafe performance, PIF balance, and event P&L estimates.
- Oversee the cafe budget.
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
- 3+ years of managerial experience in food service.
- Proven ability to lead a team and achieve goals.
- Experience preparing and cooking simple, nutritious meals, including salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Detail oriented.
- Cares deeply about quality, product and experience.
- Experience with POS and inventory management systems. Square preferred..
- Availability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Food Safety certification or willingness to obtain.
- Virginia ABC Manager certification or willingness to obtain.
- Experience using, keeping clean, and maintaining standard commercial kitchen equipment.
- Regular attendance, including weekends and occasional evenings for events.
- Desire and drive to connect people through culture and creativity.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions..
- Stand an average of 5-6 hours per workday.
- Walk an average of 5-6 hours per workday.
- Use stairs – Occasionally (1-2 times/hour).
- Bend/Stoop – Frequently (5-24 times/hour).
- Squat – Frequently (5-24 times/hour).
- Reach above shoulder level – Occasionally (1-4 times/hour).
- Up to 10 lbs. of weight carried – Frequently (5-24 times/hour).
- Up to 10 lbs. of weight lifted – Frequently (1-2 times/hour).
- Must be able to lift up to 30lbs.
- The job requires use of equipment that may require use of personal protective equipment.
COMPENSATION and START DATE
$45,000-$55,000. Commensurate with experience. January start date preferred with a café soft launch in mid to late February.
APPLY
Please send your resume and letter of interest to cafe@thearcadiaproject.org.
