Job Description| TITLE: | Café Bakery Manager | DATE: | 9/3/2026 |
| DEPARTMENT: | Operations | FLSA STATUS: | Exempt |
| REPORTS TO: | Owner/Director | LABOR GRADE: | 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.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- 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
- Turn customer feedback into action — and turn first-time visitors into regulars
- 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
Requirements
- 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)
- Strong organizational skills — able to juggle a rush, a delivery, and a scheduling gap all at once
- A genuine, customer-first attitude and leadership skills to bring a team along with you
- Comfort with MS Office
- High school diploma or GED required; a degree in Culinary/Pastry Arts, Business Administration, or Business Management is preferred
- Availability to work within café hours, including weekends and holidays
- The drive to do whatever it takes to succeed
Physical Demands
- The ability to lift 25+ pounds and stand for long periods of time
Work Environment
- This job operates in a retail/restaurant environment
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
- This is a full-time, salaried position
- Work hours are 40+ hours per week
- Schedule based on operating hours and business needs
Benefits
- Competitive, bonus-eligible salary
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Employee discounts
- Real opportunities for professional growth
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