Play Cafe General Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Riverdale - General Manager Application

About Us

Small Town Play Café® is a place for families to thrive, designed with adults and children in mind. It’s a unique combination: an enjoyable indoor play space for young children and an elevated café for parents and caregivers. Our space exudes a unique blend of playfulness, charm, and modern sophistication, inviting children and adults to feel right at home.

From our thoughtfully-designed play features to our comfortable parent seating and friendly staff who greet you like old friends, every detail makes our guests feel special. We believe in celebrating joy and the magic of making memories together.

Our mission is to create a sense of community for local families, by offering a social, safe, and clean environment for young children to play, learn, interact, and grow.

To support this mission, we are currently hiring friendly, outgoing, and energetic part-time Community Hosts and a full-time General Manager.

Small Town Riverdale is owned and operated by Hillbrook Coordination Group, Inc. All resume review and hiring decisions are made by the local entity.

Position Responsibilities

A General Manager will:

• Monitor the cafe's profit and loss, analyze sales trends, track daily costs, and maintain strategic budgets to maximize profitability.

• Recruit, train, and manage part-time staff. This includes managing payroll, evaluating employee performance, and scheduling to match business needs while minimizing labor costs.

• Oversee opening and closing procedures, ensure quality control of food and beverages, and maintain a welcoming, well-stocked environment.

• Coordinate the planning and preparation of birthday parties and other events while building relationships with the local community, foster a hospitable environment, and handle escalated guest feedback or complaints.

• Enforce ServSafe guidelines, maintain strict food-handling protocols, and ensure the cafe passes all local Department of Health (DOH) inspections.

• Track product stock, order ingredients and supplies, and negotiate with suppliers to get the best quality and pricing

In addition to the General Manager responsibilities, you will support the team as an additional Community Host:

• Deliver exceptional customer service while anticipating guest needs and creating a welcoming experience for every visitor

• Help foster a strong sense of community by connecting with members and building positive relationships with local families

• Share information about our services and offerings, including play admissions, memberships, birthday parties, specialty classes, events, and café menu items

• Prepare and serve coffee, espresso beverages, and other café items, as well as assist with food preparation and service at the counter. Previous barista experience is not required — training will be provided

• Welcome guests, manage check-ins, and process transactions using our point-of-sale system

• Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting play environment by tidying toys, sanitizing equipment, and interacting with children in the play area

• Uphold high cleanliness and safety standards throughout the café, play space, party rooms, and restrooms

• Act as a party host during weekend events and celebrations

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience in scheduling, payroll, and event planning required

• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekdays, and weekends

• Previous experience in hospitality, food service, childcare, early childhood programs, or a related field is preferred

• Dependable, punctual, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

• Enjoys engaging with children and providing excellent customer experiences

• Friendly, approachable, and professional demeanor when interacting with caregivers and young children

• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities while remaining calm and organized

• Eagerness to learn and develop new skills on the job

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to creating a polished, high-quality party and guest experience

• Ability to lift 50lbs

Party Hosting Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize all necessary party supplies and materials ahead of scheduled events

• Set up and break down party spaces, including décor, tableware, balloons, backdrops, and related materials

• Supervise the play area and ensure all guests follow established safety guidelines and play rules

• Keep events running smoothly and on schedule, including setup, hosting, and cleanup timelines

Parties are typically hosted:

• Fridays at 5:00 PM

• Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM

Additional hours may occasionally be required for event preparation and cleanup.

Compensation

A General Manager will be salaried. Pay is based on experience and will start at $58K-65K annually, plus select benefits.