Tropical Smoothie Cafe Shift Lead

Job Title: Shift Lead
Company: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time
Reports To: Assistant Manager and General Manager

Position Summary

The Shift Lead supports cafe management by supervising daily operations during assigned shifts. This position is responsible for leading the crew, maintaining excellent guest service, protecting food quality and safety, controlling labor and waste, and ensuring the cafe operates according to Tropical Smoothie Cafe standards.

The Shift Lead must lead by example, remain calm under pressure, and hold team members accountable in a respectful and professional manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Crew Members during assigned shifts.
• Assign workstations, opening duties, cleaning duties, breaks, and closing responsibilities.
• Ensure team members are in proper uniform, on time, and prepared for their shifts.
• Conduct a shift huddle to communicate sales goals, promotions, staffing assignments, and operational priorities.
• Provide friendly, fast, and professional guest service.
• Monitor order accuracy, ticket times, food quality, and product presentation.
• Coach employees on recipes, portioning, upselling, loyalty enrollment, sanitation, and customer service.
• Ensure smoothies and food are prepared according to approved recipes and portion standards.
• Monitor labor deployment and adjust employee positions based on sales volume.
• Control food waste, overproduction, incorrect orders, and excessive portioning.
• Verify that food temperatures, sanitizer levels, date labels, and holding procedures meet required standards.
• Complete required food-safety and operational logs accurately.
• Ensure FIFO procedures are followed and expired or improperly stored products are addressed immediately.
• Handle guest concerns professionally and involve the General Manager when necessary.
• Support catering orders, delivery-platform orders, and large-volume transactions.
• Ensure the dining room, kitchen, restrooms, drive-thru area, storage areas, and exterior remain clean and organized.
• Verify that opening, shift-change, and closing checklists are completed.
• Count cash drawers and complete deposits or cash-control procedures as authorized.
• Protect company property and follow loss-prevention policies.
• Report employee issues, equipment failures, food-safety concerns, injuries, or unusual incidents to management.
• Train new Crew Members and provide ongoing coaching.
• Recognize strong employee performance and address performance concerns promptly.
• Maintain a respectful and productive workplace.
• Perform Crew Member responsibilities whenever operationally necessary.
• Complete other reasonable duties assigned by management.

Leadership Expectations

The Shift Lead is expected to:

• Lead by example rather than directing from the sidelines.
• Remain visible and actively involved during busy periods.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully.
• Make fair and consistent decisions.
• Hold employees accountable for attendance, performance, cleanliness, and service.
• Address problems immediately instead of leaving them for the next shift.
• Complete a thorough shift handoff for the next manager or Shift Lead.
• Protect the guest experience and the reputation of the cafe.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant, retail, hospitality, or customer-service experience is preferred.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience is helpful.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coach employees and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, cash handling, and customer service.
• Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
• Must meet all applicable age and employment requirements for supervisory and cash-handling responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, reach, lift, and carry items weighing up to approximately 30–40 pounds.
• Ability to work around kitchen equipment, refrigeration units, cleaning products, and food ingredients.
• Ability to perform repetitive food-preparation, stocking, and cleaning tasks.

Scheduling Requirements

Shift Leads must have reliable availability based on cafe needs, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, opening shifts, and closing shifts. Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential.

Key Performance Expectations

Shift Lead performance may be measured using:

• Weekly and daily sales
• Guest satisfaction and complaint resolution
• Speed of service
• Order accuracy
• Loyalty signups and suggestive selling
• Labor deployment and productivity
• Food cost, waste, and portion control
• Cleanliness and food-safety compliance
• Checklist and log completion
• Employee training and accountability
• Cash-handling accuracy
• Attendance and shift readiness

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Pay: $15.00 - $19.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $19