Cafe General Manager

Benefits:

• Training & development
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching

General Manager – Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Location: La Jolla, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time (35-40 hours/week)
Reports To: Regional Operations Manager

About Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Since 2006, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has been serving San Diego the best possible coffee while supporting farms socially, economically, and environmentally. We're more than a coffee company – we're a community of people committed to quality, genuine customer service, integrity, and continuous improvement.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a General Manager who's ready to step into cafe leadership and help drive our business forward. This isn't just about managing shifts – it's about developing people, maintaining excellence, and building something meaningful alongside a team that genuinely cares about what they do.

What You'll Do

Management Focused Responsibilities:

• Exemplifies customer service expectations as a role model for other staff members
• Displaying continued curiosity in coffee and serving an exceptional product
• Initiating inclusive coffee conversations with team members
• Accurately take inventory to place orders while being mindful of the cost of goods
• Coach and train all cafe-level team members
• Hire entry-level barista positions with full authority (Keyholder and above require ROM approval)
• Conduct interviews for all cafe positions
• Create and manage weekly schedules based on sales trends and labor allowances
• Lead corrective action conversations and implement disciplinary measures
• Troubleshoot problems swiftly using the correct channels
• Clear, positive, and proactive communication with team members, customers and vendors
• Collaborate with the ROM to meet sales goals and manage labor within targets
• Create development plans for employees in order to grow their skills
• Perform the second day training for new hires
• Lead staff meetings with intent
• Collaborate with the Retail Operations Manager to host events
• Finding coverage for any uncovered shifts
• Manages high productivity and results for the company and customers (including proper delegation, and cutting hours if necessary)
• Communicating with the maintenance team when equipment is not functioning properly
• Displaying an enthusiasm and desire to meet and exceed objectives

What We're Looking For:

Required skills

• Multi-tasking skills
• People management & communication skills
• Excellent communication between all departments and staff members
• Ability to maintain composure in a fast-paced environment
• Problem-solving skills
• Punctual and dependable
• Delegating tasks for efficiency
• Drive for results
• Cash handling skills
• Interviewing and hiring experience
• Employee scheduling and labor management skills
• Experience with corrective action and disciplinary processes
• Supervisor Experience (2-3 years)

Preferred qualifications

• Cafe/food service experience (2-3 years)
• Retail/customer service experience (4 years)
• Specialty coffee knowledge (1-2 years)
• Management experience (1+ years)
• Previous hiring and interviewing experience
• Scheduling software proficiency 

You'll Thrive Here If You:

• Care deeply about coffee quality and attention to detail
• Communicate directly, kindly, and authentically
• Want to understand the business, not just run shifts
• Lead with curiosity and a growth mindset
• Value building real relationships with your team and guests
• Take pride in creating excellent experiences

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Health benefits (for eligible positions)
• Free coffee (obviously) and cafe discounts
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Clear leadership development path

Ready to Join Us?

If you're ready to grow as a leader while serving some of the best coffee San Diego has to offer, we'd love to hear from you.

To Apply:
Send your resume and a brief note about why you're interested in growing with Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Compensation: $31.50 - $35.00 per hour

JOIN TEAM BIRD ROCK COFFEE! 

We are looking for exceptional, inspirational and motivated team members. 

Recognized as Roaster of the Year in 2012—a national once-in-a-lifetime award given by Roast Magazine —Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is proud to have put Direct Sourced, Single Origin, exceptional coffee on the map in San Diego. A regular contributor to the international coffee industry, a consistent winner of scores above 90 from Coffee Review, and the North American Golden Bean Awards, the recipient of a 2023 Good Food Award, and with a Q-Grader certified Director of Coffee on site, Bird Rock's staff is sought after throughout the world for their coffee expertise. Going beyond the perfect latte, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has a top-quality roasting program on site, a pour-over bar featuring some of the best, seasonal varietals, monthly staff cuppings, and a deep dive into the selection process and all things coffee. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters goes beyond the confines of the fair trade structure and engages in direct trade with farmers, and is proud to serve the best coffee, prepared with the utmost respect to those who grew it.

THE COMMUNITY

At Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, we believe in giving back—to the farmers and to our own community. We’re actively involved in almost every community event in Bird Rock because it’s important to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters takes pride in showcasing the talents of local artists and performers of the Bird Rock Community. To participate or inquire about displaying your artwork in Bird Rock Coffee Roasters’ Coffee Bar, please EMAIL Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.