Appalachian Cafe Shift Lead

DESCRIPTION

Are you outgoing, dependable, and passionate about hospitality? Would you enjoy helping guests discover the dishes, ingredients, and traditions behind Appalachian foods?

If so, you might be a perfect cafe shift lead at Woodshed: Appalachian Crafts Coffee Cafe. Located in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Woodshed celebrates the region’s creativity and heritage through a new modern cafe that riffs on traditional Appalachian foodways. It’s opening in the same space as our funky craft marketplace.

At Woodshed’s cafe, we’ll be serving food with purpose:

• Whenever possible, we use Appalachian-made products.
• We source animal products from producers that prioritize animal welfare.
• We reduce wastes, minimize plastics, and make environmentally-responsible choices.

The cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch, and we’re seeking an experienced professional who is committed to a career in hospitality. This person will lead assigned shifts while remaining very much part of the action — preparing food and drinks, caring for guests, supporting coworkers, and keeping things running smoothly.

AN EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

• Become an ambassador for Appalachian foodways, discussing the ingredients and dishes that make our region special while you serve modern takes on Appalachian dishes.
• Join a team built on mutual respect, constructive feedback, and collaboration.
• Help lead a small cafe team where hospitality, quality, and personality matter.
• Work in the heart of downtown Roanoke, directly next door to Mast General Store and steps from dozens of shops and restaurants.
• Hourly pay plus tips.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead cafe operations during assigned shifts and help keep everything running smoothly.
• Prepare and serve beverages and food to Woodshed's elevated standards.
• Provide extraordinarily warm, attentive service and find ways to truly delight our guests.
• Learn the traditions behind our menu and communicate them to guests.
• Guide and support other cafe team members during shifts.
• Balance guest service, food and beverage preparation, stocking, cleaning, and other priorities during busy periods.
• Complete and oversee opening and closing duties as assigned.
• Maintain a clean, organized, stocked, and safe cafe.
• Follow and reinforce food-safety and sanitation procedures.
• Resolve routine guest and operational issues and involve management when appropriate.
• Pitch in wherever needed. We're a small team, and everyone helps keep the cafe humming.

Some weekend work is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Above all, be an outgoing, dependable self-starter and clear communicator. You should be comfortable taking charge of a shift, guiding coworkers when needed, and staying calm and organized when the cafe gets busy.
• Bring 2 years of cafe, restaurant, or similar food-service experience, including experience as a shift lead, supervisor, or in another leadership position with responsibility for a team or shift.
• Have experience preparing coffee beverages, basic food-preparation and knife skills, and working knowledge of food-safety and sanitation practices.
• Be genuinely curious about Appalachian foodways and eager to learn the traditions behind what we serve. You don't need to arrive as an expert, just an enthusiastic learner.
• Be punctual, able to work independently, and available for a consistent weekly schedule.
• Be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

DETAILS

• Pay: $18.00 - $19.00 per hour tips
• Expected hours: 36 – 40 per week
• Benefits: Employee discount and paid time off