Cafe Manager

Job Description

Job description: General Manager of Shrine Coffee
Location: Shrine of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer Santa Cruz, CA
Reports to: Shrine Director
Status: Full-time Exempt (Salaried)
Compensation: $70,304-$73,819.20 annual salary, based on experience, health benefits (50% employer-paid), paid vacation

Our Mission
St. Joseph Marello, Founder of the Oblates of St. Joseph, said, "Do the ordinary in an extraordinary way!" This is the heart of Shrine Coffee.

Our goal first and foremost is to show God's love to every person who walks through our doors. We do this through care and attention in everything we do - when we make great coffee, provide excellent customer service, and show genuine care for every person. Working for Shrine Coffee is both a job and a mission - it is how we show God's love and care to others.

Position Summary
The General Manager leads all aspects of Shrine Coffee's daily operations and, just as importantly, its culture. As the shop's primary steward, the GM ensures that every guest - pilgrim, local parishioner, or neighbor stopping in for a beverage - experiences hospitality worthy of our mission. The GM builds and mentors a team that serves with excellence, manages the business with integrity and prudence, and works closely with the Shrine Director to ensure the coffee shop reflects and supports the life of the Shrine.

Key Responsibilities:
Mission & Hospitality
• Set the tone of warmth, welcome, and genuine care that defines Shrine Coffee, modeling it personally and cultivating it in the team
• Ensure the shop's atmosphere, music, displays, and communications are consistent with the Catholic identity and spirit of the Shrine
• Collaborate with the Shrine Director on events, feast day celebrations, and opportunities for the shop to serve pilgrims and Shrine visitors

Operations
• Oversee day-to-day operations: opening/closing procedures, scheduling, workflow, and quality standards for all food and beverages
• Hold or able to obtain a California Food Manager Certification
• Maintain compliance with all health, safety, and food-handling regulations, including required permits and employee certifications
• Manage vendor relationships, inventory, and ordering to control costs while maintaining quality
• Ensure the stock room is kept clean, organized, and in good order
• Keep equipment maintained and facilities clean, safe, and inviting

Team Leadership
• Recruit, hire, train, and schedule baristas and staff in coordination with the Shrine Director
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and formation so team members grow in both skill and service
• Foster a workplace culture marked by charity, accountability, and joy
• Take interest in employees lives with care for the respect of the human person
• Coordinate operational daily and weekly tasks, and delegate responsibilities to shift leads

Financial Stewardship
• Manage the shop's budget, labor costs, and cost of goods; track sales and margins
• Handle daily cash management, deposits, and point-of-sale reporting with accuracy and integrity
• Prepare regular financial and operational reports for the Shrine Director
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue (catering, seasonal offerings, special events) in keeping with the shop's mission

Marketing, Branding, & Merchandise
• Keep Shrine Coffee's social media active and up to date with content that reflects the shop's spirit and the life of the Shrine
• Maintain consistent branding across signage, menus, packaging, social media, and promotional materials, in coordination with the Shrine Director
• Oversee merchandise offerings - selection, display, inventory, and pricing - ensuring items reflect the identity of Shrine Coffee and the Shrine Coffee & Craft:
"Do the ordinary in an extraordinary way!"
We want St. Joseph Marello's words to shine in the products we offer our guests and in the hospitality with which we offer them.
• Uphold high standards for espresso, coffee, and all other beverages - in brewing, preparation, and presentation
• Train staff in house and in coordination with roasting partner and stay current on best practices in specialty coffee
• Develop the menu seasonally in collaboration with staff and the Shrine Director

Qualifications:
Required
• 2+ years of management or supervisory experience in food service, hospitality, or retail (coffee shop experience strongly preferred)
• Extensive barista experience and strong knowledge of specialty coffee strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and motivate a team
• Strong organizational and financial management skills, including budgeting and inventory control
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine heart for hospitality
• Comfort working alongside clergy, religious, and volunteers
• Enthusiastic support for the mission and Catholic identity of Shrine Coffee and the Shrine of St. Joseph
• California Food Service Manager Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• Schedule flexibility is essential: this is an exempt salaried position, with the baseline expectation of a 40-hour workweek and hours will vary with the needs of the shop, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and Shrine feast days

Preferred
• Experience with point-of-sale systems (e.g., Square) and basic bookkeeping
• Experience with social media management or marketing
• Familiarity with parish or ministry environments

Physical Requirements
• Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 40 lbs., and work in a fast-paced environment.

To Apply
Please send a resume and a brief cover letter telling us why this mission resonates with you to hello@shrinecoffee.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Shrine Coffee is a ministry of the Shrine of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, operated by the Oblates of St. Joseph, Holy Spouses Province.

About the Employer

St. Joseph Marello, Founder of the Oblates of St. Joseph, said, "Do the ordinary in an extraordinary way!" This is the heart of Shrine Coffee.

Our goal first and foremost is to show God's love to every person who walks through our doors. We do this through care and attention in everything we do - when we make great coffee, provide excellent customer service, and show genuine care for every person. Working for Shrine Coffee is both a job and a mission - it is how we show God's love and care to others.