Cafe Assistant General Manager

Assistant General Manager Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Location: La Jolla, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time (32-40 hours/week)

Reports To: General Manager & Regional Operations Manager

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.

We're looking for an Assistant 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. You'll work directly with our General Manager to run daily operations, coach and develop your team, and ensure every guest experiences the quality and customer service Bird Rock is known for. This role is perfect for someone who's ready to take the next step in their leadership journey and wants hands-on experience in all aspects of cafe management.

Lead People & Operations:

• Support the GM in coaching, developing, and inspiring your team
• Manage shift operations including opening/closing procedures and service standards
• Handle inventory management, ordering, and cost control
• Step into problem-solving mode when challenges arise

Drive Excellence:

• Maintain our product quality standards every single time
• Ensure guests receive genuine customer service that reflects our values
• Monitor and improve key metrics: service times, ticket averages, labor costs
• Uphold cafe maintenance and aesthetic standards
• Exposure to P&L management and understand how your decisions impact the business

Grow & Develop:

• Participate in ongoing training and leadership development
• Build your skills in business operations, team management, and specialty coffee
• Embrace fierce conversations and authentic communication
• Take ownership of your growth and your team's success

What We're Looking For:

Required:

• 1-2 years of supervisor or team lead experience
• Strong multi-tasking abilities and problem-solving skills
• Cash handling and POS system experience
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and flexible hours
• Genuine passion for customer service

Preferred:

• 3+ years in retail or customer service environments
• 2-3 years in cafe, restaurant, or food service
• 1-2 years in specialty coffee (we'll teach you if you're eager to learn!)
• Experience with inventory management

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: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

JOIN TEAM BIRD ROCK COFFEE!

Recognized as Roaster of the Year in 2012a 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 backto 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.