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CAFE + EVENTS MANAGER

Asher + Rye is a design-forward lifestyle shop and caf located at the corner of Jones and Whitaker in downtown Savannah. Our caf serves as a daily gathering place for neighbors, students, creatives, and visitorsa welcoming extension of our retail and design experience. We serve coffee, tea, smoothies, pastries, soups, and simple seasonal offerings, and we're continuing to grow.

We're looking for a confident, experienced Caf & Events Manager to lead our caf operations while helping shape the community experience at Asher + Rye.

This role is ideal for someone who has managed a fast-paced caf, restaurant, hospitality, or event-driven environment and understands how to balance operational excellence with creativity and hospitality. In addition to leading daily caf operations, this individual will play a key role in developing and executing events that bring people together, strengthen our brand, and create new opportunities for growth.

We need a leader who can motivate a team, hold high expectations, create a positive and accountable culture, and bring fresh ideas that enhance the Asher + Rye experience.

Full-time required. We are open seven days a week.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Lead the Caf Team

• Lead and manage the caf team with confidence, consistency, and professionalism.
• Manage baristas during high-volume service periods.
• Set the tone on the floor with calm, positive leadership in partnership with our shop managers.
• Hold team members accountable for performance, service standards, and workplace expectations.
• Coach, train, and motivate staff while fostering a culture of hospitality and teamwork.
• Address performance and conduct issues directly, consistently, and professionally.
• Own staff scheduling, adjusting coverage based on traffic patterns, seasonality, events, and performance needs.
• Identify staffing needs and participate in hiring, onboarding, and training new team members.

Maintain Operational Excellence

• Own day-to-day caf operations, including purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, cost control, and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
• Uphold and enforce high standards of cleanliness, food safety, organization, and presentation.
• Ensure consistency in food and beverage quality.
• Manage prep schedules, downtime tasks, and cleaning procedures.
• Monitor labor and operational efficiencies while maintaining a high-quality guest experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, workflows, and productivity.

Lead Events & Community Engagement

• Develop, coordinate, and execute a year-round calendar of events, workshops, private gatherings, pop-ups, and community activations.
• Collaborate with ownership and shop leadership to create programming that reflects the Asher + Rye brand and strengthens community engagement.
• Oversee event logistics, staffing, vendor coordination, setup, execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Build relationships with local makers, artists, businesses, and organizations to create meaningful partnerships and collaborative opportunities.
• Manage private event inquiries and coordinate event execution from planning through completion.
• Work alongside marketing efforts to help drive attendance and awareness of events.
• Track event performance and identify opportunities to increase participation, revenue, and customer engagement.

Create an Exceptional Guest Experience

• Lead caf operations during in-store events, private functions, and VIP gatherings.
• Ensure every guest feels welcomed, valued, and cared for.
• Maintain high service standards, even during peak periods.
• Create a warm, inviting, and professional environment for guests and team members alike.
• Resolve guest concerns quickly and thoughtfully while protecting the integrity of the customer experience.

Support Growth

• Support the expansion of caf offerings, including overseeing light food preparation and future menu initiatives.
• Contribute ideas for increasing customer engagement across the caf and retail experience.
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue through events, promotions, merchandise, partnerships, and in-store initiatives.
• Help prepare the caf operation for future growth and scale.
• Bring fresh ideas and creative thinking while maintaining operational discipline and accountability.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• 35 years of experience managing a caf, restaurant, hospitality venue, or similar service-based business.
• Experience planning, coordinating, or managing events is strongly preferred.
• ServSafe Certified or willing to obtain certification upon hire.
• Comfortable leading teams during high-pressure service periods.
• Direct, confident, and fair leadership style.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solution-oriented.
• Energized by hospitality, community-building, and team culture.
• Detail-oriented with high standards for execution.
• Comfortable giving feedback, making decisions, and holding others accountable.
• Excited to work in a beautiful, design-forward environment.
• Not afraid to step in, take charge, and clearly communicate expectations.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive pay based on experience.
• Flexible scheduling (weekend availability required).
• Free drink during shifts.
• Employee discount in both the shop and caf.
• Opportunity to grow with an expanding brand.
• A bright, supportive, and creative work environment.
• The opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Asher + Rye.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

The caf is central to the Asher + Rye experience. It fuels our community, complements our lifestyle shop, and brings energy to our space every day.

As we continue to grow, events and programming will play an increasingly important role in how we connect with our customers, support our neighborhood, and create new opportunities for the business. We're looking for someone who understands that hospitality leadership is both operational and culturalsomeone who can lead a team, create memorable experiences, and help build the next chapter of Asher + Rye.

If you're ready to lead with confidence, inspire a team, and create experiences that bring people together, we'd love to meet you.