General Manager

Bench General ManagerIn 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Equator has committed over 30 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve retail cafes throughout California—from Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland to Los Angeles and beyond. Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more. Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and an early adopter of Fair Trade and Regenerative Organic certifications, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification.Position SummaryThe Bench Manager position is a unique opportunity to embark on a journey of learning and growth, with the ultimate goal of managing a designated home store and its team. This role involves shadowing existing store managers, working closely with the District Manager, and immersing oneself in the key responsibilities that define our brand's commitment to excellence. The Bench General Manager is entrusted with conscientious hiring, training, and employee development, all under the guidance of seasoned managers. Fostering a positive environment and effective communication within the team are skills cultivated through hands-on experience and mentorship. The Bench Manager learns the art of creating schedules that harmonize with business and employee needs, mastering accurate payroll management, and promptly addressing customer concerns. With a focus on financial performance, this role involves working closely with the District Manager to drive sales, monitor Key Performance Indicators, and consistently identify areas for improvement. The Bench Manager role is a dynamic learning experience, instilling a passion for our brand and a commitment to leadership that will shape the successful management of a future home store and its team.Qualifications and RequirementsDemonstrates a passion for coffee and inspires it in othersManagement experience in specialty coffee, retail, hospitality and/or customer service is requiredExperience managing a profitable & operationally sound single café/restaurant preferredMust maintain current state issued SERVSafe Manager CertificateExperience recruiting, hiring, and managing staffStrong leadership skills with professional maturityProven ability to understand and execute on an organization's goals and objectivesEnjoys working on a team and collaborating as a team playerLeadership, relationship, team building, and conflict management skillsExcellent interpersonal and communication skills - both oral and writtenMust be able to exercise independent judgment and decision-making skillsAbility to work in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities and meet deadlinesExperience reviewing financial reports and meeting budgetsAble to work full time (the work regularly demands in excess of 45 hours per week) including variable hours such as early morning, evenings, weekends, and/or holidaysAbility to lead change, deal with the ambiguity, and the prioritizing needed to run a fast-paced environmentExperience with POS touch screen, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other computer skillsBilingual in Spanish and English preferredMinimum High School or GEDCompensationAvailable to all employeesCommuter Benefits - pre-tax parking and transitEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) - Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employeeFree mental health app subscriptionEmployee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafesContinuing coffee education classesFree coffeePaid Time Off for voting on Election DayAfter 60 days as an employee at EquatorHealthcare Benefits (for full-time employees working over 30 hours per week)100% employer-covered premium medical insuranceVoluntary Insurance Plans - dental, vision, long-term disability, pet, and supplementary life insuranceEmployer covered life insurance premiumFlexible Spending Account (FSA) - healthcare and daily dependent careAfter 90 days as an employee at EquatorHoliday Pay after 90 days of employment. Eight Equator-observed holidays per yearPaid Time Off with tenured increases for full-time employees1 paid volunteer day per yearAfter six months as an employee at Equator401K with up to a 4% company match on employee contributionsCompensation will be commensurate with experience.Equator Coffees is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge will be based on competence, performance and the business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.We run background checks on all new hires in this position.