Bookstore Cafe CoManager

Job Description

Compensation: $55,000 - 58,000/year commensurate with experience

Overview:

The Bookstore & Café Co-Manager is the in-house champion and local leader responsible for the overall operation of the Bookstore & Café. Our ideal Bookstore & Cafe Co-Manager is – first and foremost – an ambassador for Housing Works, prioritizing customer service over all other tasks. You must know, embody, and actively communicate our Mission Statement, be active in the local community, and work to create an environment and culture that is reflective of the Housing Works Community Values. The Bookstore & Café Manager must possess an entrepreneurial spirit with a talent for using existing resources to maximize revenue and profit. In this role, you will lead the training and development of the team, empower employees to work together to reach organizational goals and objectives, and serve as their number one cheerleader and coach and advocate for your staff.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the creation of daily/monthly work plans to ensure that revenue, profit, and operational goals of the Bookstore & Cafe are met, utilizing staffing & resources appropriately.
• Understand and fully implement Housing Works’ customer service program, showcasing exemplary customer/donor service, including but not limited to greeting, saying thank you, explaining policies clearly and politely to the satisfaction of the customer, and by prioritizing assisting customers/donors over all other tasks.
• Work with the Store Manager to train and develop skills of all employees and volunteers to ensure that all fully understand standards, organizational goals and direction. This includes but is not limited to register operations, visual merchandising techniques, and store maintenance standards.
• Work with the Store Manager to recruit, interview, hire, and train staff.
• Work with the Store Manager to conduct progressive .coaching/counseling as necessary to ensure associates are meeting established standards.
• Constantly review store environment to improve operations and merchandising.
• Ensure store is merchandised in accordance with Housing Works standards. This would include but is not limited to creating exciting displays, displays that promote upcoming events, and execute floor plans that feature and highlight premium quality product.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Assist and work cooperatively with private & public events to include set-up, breakdown, and cleaning as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with other departments, including but not limited to Housing Works Thrift Shops, Development, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Ready for Work Program.
• Responsible for mastering Café procedures such as supply ordering, inventory management, and beverage preparation.
• Ensure all areas meet Department of Health codes.

Other Functions:

• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending training meetings/sessions and through independent study.
• Develop and season Encourage teamwork and foster creativity. Recognize talent and help to develop individuals for advancement within the organization.
• Be a Housing Works Ambassador by knowing and communicating the Mission Statement, outreaching to the community, and participating in a minimum of four direct actions per year aimed at ending the twin crises of homelessness and HIV/AIDS.
• Perform all other duties as directed by supervisor and/or executive management.

Job Requirements

Education:

• High School diploma or the equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Qualification Requirements:

• At least 2 years of experience leading teams in a retail setting, with solid expertise in clothing and accessories.
• Working knowledge of the second-hand market to include the breadth of products offered in the Bookstore.
• Commitment to excellent customer service.
• Barista, bar, or food service experience valued; training provided for those new to the field.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate must be obtained within 6 months.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Some Human Resource principles.
• Flexibility in schedule; weekends and holidays are required; may be required to work over 40 hours a week as necessary with prior approval from Director of Bookstore or VP of Thrift Retail.
• Non-exempt employees are paid overtime at the rate of 1.5 times their hourly rate for all hours worked, more than 40 in each workweek. It is required that prior to working overtime, all non-exempt employees must have written authorization from the Director of Stores or VP of Retail & Marketing.

Competencies:

• Self-starting, self-motivating mindset.
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written), interpersonal and team-oriented skills.
• Ability to make decisions under pressure, flexibility to course correct as necessary.
• Ability to de-escalate, resolve, and prevent conflict.