Café General Manager

 Operations

Damien Center Values

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Equity-Quality-Innovation

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana's oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition.

Position Summary:

The General Manager will be responsible for all aspects of the café', including staff supervision, customer service, inventory management, financial performance, and training. Along with the operational responsibility, the General Manager will work closely with the employment team ensuring trauma informed practices are implemented in all training, policies, and procedures. This role requires strong leadership, empathy, and a commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space for both customers, employees, and participants in the hospitality training program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate café staff, including participants in the hospitality training program.
• Schedule staff shifts, assign duties, and ensure adequate staffing levels to meet customer demand.
• Provide leadership and guidance to café staff, fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture.
• Ensure that customers receive prompt, friendly, and efficient services always.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the café, including opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and inventory management.
• Manage vendor relationships, place orders for supplies, and coordinate delivery of inventory items.
• Manage equipment and facilities preventative maintenance. Diagnose, report and log equipment and facility defects and repairs.
• Implement and enforce company policies and procedures, including health and safety regulations, cleanliness standards, and compliance with local regulations.
• Work with the Director of Administrative Operations to develop and manage café budget, including revenue projections, expenses, and profit margins.
• Implement strategies to increase sales, reduce costs, and improve overall financial performance.
• Implement trauma-informed training programs for all employees, including ongoing education and support.
• Ensure that all cafe policies and procedures align with trauma-informed principles, including customer interactions, conflict resolution, and employee conduct.
• Conduct regular team meetings to promote communication, collaboration, and staff development.
• Continuously seek opportunities for improvement and innovation in café offerings and operations.
• Generate creative ideas for menu items, considering factors such as sustainability, cultural influences, café's brand, and mission.
• Conduct cost analysis for menu items, including ingredient costs, labor expenses, and overhead.
• Foster positive relationships with the local community, including customers, neighboring businesses, and community organizations.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree preferred, but not required. Previous experience in café or restaurant management, with a demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care principles. Bilingual in Spanish/ English a plus.

*Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and empower a diverse team. Knowledge of food and beverage operations, including inventory management, food safety standards, and quality control. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. Employee will be exposed to hot surfaces, steam, and hot liquids.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation ay be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor.

• Café setting with a casual atmosphere.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

• FLSA Status: Salaried, Full-time, Exempt
• Leader: Director of Operations
• Salary: $55,000

• Benefits: 
• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.

• 12 paid holidays
•  Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP.
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, and to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (including all boosters), barring an approved religious or medical exemption.

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Please apply at www.damien.org/job-opportunities

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.