Cafe General Manager - ammatka Kitchen (5235U) Lawrence Hall of Science, 86840

Cafe General Manager - ammatka Kitchen (5235U) Lawrence Hall of Science, 86840

About Berkeley

Departmental Overview

Located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley's public science center, inspires and engages millions each year through science discovery and learning in ways that advance equity and opportunity. Located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, The Lawrence welcomes over 100,000 visitors per year to programs and events onsite and hundreds of thousands more in schools and community settings across Northern California. Our programs, products, and research impact youth, communities, educators, leaders and partners locally, nationally and globally. The Lawrence Hall of Science is the home of UC Berkeley's ottoy Initiative. The ottoy Initiative aims to foster understanding of and respect for Ohlone people and culture and to repair and improve UC Berkeley's relationship with the Ohlone community.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 7/10/2026

Position Summary

As the home of UC Berkeley's ottoy Initiative, The Lawrence Hall of Science offers multiple culinary experiences at The Lawrence and across the UC Berkeley campus designed to foster understanding of and respect for Ohlone people and culture. These experiences are all serviced by the ammatka Kitchen, located at The Lawrence Hall of Science.

Under the culinary direction of ottoy Initiative leaders (Cafe Ohlone co-founders Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino), the ammatka Kitchen prepares, cooks, and serves a combination of made-to-order and grab-and-go food for sale in the onsite cafe and other culinary offerings that may be served in other campus venues.

The general manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the ammatka Kitchen and related culinary experiences. This includes supervising all aspects of food service operations, including preparation, serving and presentation of food and beverages; dining and serving area set up; cleaning of the facilities, equipment and tableware; greeting customers, and executing transactions. It also includes working in partnership with the ottoy Initiative leaders and Lawrence Hall of Science staff to ensure that food service operations run smoothly and efficiently while adhering to the goals and budget of this unique operation. Because the clientele served across these experiences varies by venue and season and differs depending on the audience, the Manager needs to pay particular attention to meeting customer demands while stewarding resources and minimizing waste.

We are committed to attracting and retaining talented leaders who demonstrate cultural competence, foster inclusive environments, and effectively serve and engage people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Given the particular goals of the ottoy culinary experiences, we seek applicants who are interested in advancing the goals of the ottoy initiative and have a passion for connecting food and culture.

Responsibilities

• Food Production. Spend a portion of time performing individual tasks related to food service operations such as set-up/break-down, cleaning, and serving. Prepare and assist in the production of menu items following department recipes in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Audit, train, and ensure staff adherence to: quality control; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points principles of food preparation, safety, and sanitation; all food service health, safety, nutritional, recipe policies, and guidelines to ensure the highest quality product is served to the customer. Manage the maintenance and cleanliness of the food production areas, including the kitchen, service areas, storage areas, receiving, dock, and trash areas. Identify and resolve a wide range of quality assurance issues in creative and imaginative ways. Merchandise food as required for the location. Practice good stewardship with university and customer resources. Assist functional units as needed; operate a campus vehicle for deliveries or other tasks.
• Customer Service. Maintain exceptional customer service standards; ensure superior service during all on-site and off-site catered events. Meet and exceed customer service expectations by anticipating needs and addressing issues. Participate in ongoing customer service programs, including personal interaction with customers and responding to customer comments. Maintain positive client relationships and exhibit a cheerful and helpful attitude. Plan, organize, and manage a variety of special events from set-up to clean-up, both on-site and off-site as needed. Transport, deliver and serve prepared food to multiple campus locations. Accommodate last-minute requests efficiently and courteously. Ensure deadlines are met for service and event schedules.
• Human Resource and Fiscal Management. Develop schedules and set staffing levels to meet business needs while managing labor costs effectively. Closely oversee the day-to-day activities of employees who operate and maintain food production and service areas; adjust labor schedules and work assignments to match production volume. Train and direct employees in the preparation and service of meals using established food safety guidelines, procedures, and quality control; assign tasks and check work areas at frequent intervals. Ensure staff have knowledge and understanding of event details, specifications, and client expectations. Maintain and follow appropriate personnel actions within the organization. Perform ongoing performance management and staff development, including: timely feedback, setting clear expectations, recognizing outstanding performance, supporting career development, training, and writing annual performance evaluations. Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and personnel policies. Supervise and follow approved cash and payment handling policies and procedures. Purchase food products and supplies as needed for special events and catering. Conduct weekly inventories, making adjustments as necessary to maintain accurate budget information and precise accounting of food and non-food items. Maintain and oversee the repair of food production equipment. Keep food, labor, and supply costs within budgetary requirements. Ensure compliance with cash and payment handling policies and procedures.
• Other Duties as Assigned and Professional Development. Perform additional tasks as required, participate in organizational activities that advance the well-being of The Lawrence Hall of Science and the ottoy Initiative, and engage in opportunities for professional growth.

Required Qualifications

• Lead/supervisory experience, preferably in the foodservice industry.
• Solid knowledge in food service and sanitation regulations.
• Experience ensuring healthy, safe, and sanitary food service environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication in the English language, including active listening and dynamic flexibility.
• Knowledge and experience responding to customer service requests.
• Ability to multitask, ensure effective time management, and delegate.
• Experience coordinating multiple events at one time.
• Strong decision-making and reasoning skills, and the ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, and perform operations analysis and quality control analysis.
• Solid and effective interpersonal and work supervision skills to provide guidance to other personnel and work effectively with partners on joint projects.
• Experience working with and serving a wide variety of customers and clients from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Strong computer application skills to include food service applications such as point of sale and inventory control software.
• Experienced with cash handling and operating point of sales systems in a retail or restaurant environment.
• Experience overseeing procurement of ingredients and supplies needed for food service enterprises.

AVAILABILITY

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

• Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• ServSafe Certification or equivalent certification.
• TIPS Training

EDUCATION

• High school diploma and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and/or experience related to using indigenous ingredients in food preparation.
• Knowledge and/or experience related to cultivating cultural appreciation through culinary experiences.
• Knowledge related to advancing food sustainability and security.
• Experience in a foodservice operation in a public-facing, cultural organization.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.
• This is a 1-year, full-time (40 hours/week) contract position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

• Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This recruitment has 1 opening.
• This is a 1-year, full-time (40 hours/week) contract position.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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