Job Listing
Cafe Lead
Company:
No More Empty Pots
Industry:
Non-profit
Job title:
Cafe Lead
Job level:
Entry
Job description:
CAFE LEAD
JOB DESCRIPTION
Department: Services
Team: Food Service
Position Level: Lead/Coordinator
Position Status: Full time non-exempt
ABOUT NO MORE EMPTY POTS
No More Empty Pots (NMEP) is a grassroots non-profit corporation that connects individuals and groups to improve self-sufficiency, regional food security and economic resilience of urban and rural communities through advocacy and action. No More Empty Pots’ vision is to support communities in becoming self-sufficient and food secure through collaboration and adhering to core values of education, stewardship, and sustainability.
NMEP CORE VALUES
Dedicated
People-Centered/Trustworthy
Solution Focused
Arable-Adaptable
Forward Thinking
Innovative
No More Empty Pots follows an accountability model where all candidates for NMEP positions are evaluated on “get it,” “want it,”“capacity to do it,” and alignment with organizational core values. All candidates must have the ability to:
Engage in effective communication
Accept challenges
Prioritize tasks
Use critical thinking skills to solve problems
Be rooted in their “Why”
Work independently and in team settings
Work with a growth mindset
Be detail oriented and deadline driven
Display commitment to NMEP’ mission
Be dedicated to reducing structural inequities
Prioritize people and relationships
Maintain high standards of program delivery and customer service
Be self-starting with confidence to ask questions or ask for help
Have ownership of job accountabilities
POSITION DESCRIPTION
No More Empty Pots seeks a customer-service minded individual strong in communication, product management and relationship building to join the team. This role works in tandem with the Food Service Manager to execute and grow the No More Empty Cups retail cafe featuring local products, in house pastries, coffee and drinks. This venue is intended to serve as a revenue generation and promotion for the organization.
REPORTS TO
Food Service Manager
SEAT TYPE: EXECUTOR
This seat takes the plan for implementation as directed by the Food Service Manager and performs task level actions and decisions.
TOP 5 ACCOUNTABILITIES
Leadership + Management = Accountability: Ensure team members, volunteers, students and interns have clear roles, expectations, and tools to do the job at the task level as directed by the Food Service Manager. Engage in feedback loops with the Food Service Manager to ensure team members assigned to tasks have development support and are held accountable to overall team goals.
Lead day-to-day physical tasks that support the Cafe including working Cafe shifts, receiving, inventory, restocking, prepping, packaging, labeling, pick-up and delivery of product.
Lead customer service processes including managing email accounts and phone messages, fixing order issues, resolving customer dissatisfaction.
Execute critical reports and account updates to include maintaining and updating customer accounts in Square, POS sales and Cafe inventory.
Lead the execution of community engagement initiatives within the space. Provide education opportunities to inform the community about local foods and how to best leverage resources like SNAP/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks and others.
75% PROGRAM EXECUTION
Daily Operations
Provide consistent beverages with consistency and great customer service
Serve in the Cafe and Cafe events including performing all general duties of a barista: open, mid-shift, and close shift, being available to fill a shift, as needed, at a cafe event, and exemplify excellent customer service and expert knowledge of drink and food menu, especially coffee
Champion and lead the development of any new programs in the cafe
Assist with seasonal menu planning and organize cafe vendors
Support programming in coordination with other team leads including Food Distribution, Workforce Training Programs, Entrepreneur Program, Community Education, and Operations. Coordinated programming may include, training Culinary Workforce Training Program students, featuring entrepreneur products; involving volunteers; and working closely with Food Services to decide the food menu offerings at the Cafe, Micro Market and catering for Cafe events
Merchandising
Execute merchandising procedures for the presentation of product in the space as directed by the Food Service Manager to include product placement and signage.
Reporting & Guides
Send end of day and end of week reports as directed.
Submit monthly program data and use sales and data to make operational decisions about the Cafe and programs
Marketing & Promotions
Support ensuring promotional materials and other important information prepared for distribution in the No More Empty Cups Cafe.
Coordinate with the Food Service Manager regarding ideas to educate based on customer feedback.
Alongside team members, take photos and videos of products, people, spaces and events to contribute to the overall marketing strategy of retail programs.
Product & Inventory Receiving and Management
Engage in receiving processes to ensure proper delivery, inventory and storage of product.
Weigh and store product appropriately within storage spaces.
Assist in ordering products and supplies for the Cafe and Cafe events
Communicate pertinent information regarding inventory, receiving and storage as directed.
Waste Management
Follow all organizational zero-waste procedures and policies.
Maintain a waste log and work with the Value Chain Manager and Food Service Manager to identify solutions to reduce waste.
Communicate with the Value Chain Manager when there is excess product that could be re-allocated for donation.
Space Management
Ensure all spaces are well maintained, cleaned on a daily basis and meet all requirements by the Health Department. Spaces include the Micro Market at the NMEP Greenhouse, Cups Cafe at the Food Hub and food production/storage spaces within the scope of retail use.
Communicate with the Food Service Manager or Director of Services if resources are needed to keep spaces cleaned and organized.
Conduct beginning and end of shift walk-throughs of spaces to ensure cleanliness and address any issues with equipment and supplies as they come up.
Processes & Standard Operating Procedures
Follow all processes and procedures set forth by the Food Service Manager and Director of Services to ensure all activities adhere to codes and regulatory requirements.
Engage in problem solving with the Food Service Manager and other team members for process, product, service and quality improvement.
15% PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
Leadership + Management = Accountability: Ensure team members have clear roles, expectations, and tools to do the job at the task level. Engage in feedback loops with the Food Service Manager to ensure team members assigned to tasks have development support and are held accountable to overall team goals.
Collaborate with other Services Department members to ensure efficiencies and completion of department processes and procedures.
Work with the Food Service Manager to communicate needs for utility staff like drivers.
Work with NMEP staff members to execute any Cafe related programming and/or events.
Fill in for gaps in any roles within the Food Service and/or Retail Team as needed including regular shifts and/or events.
10% DATA, FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE
Participate in the review of team data. Report on any metrics delegated to you by the Food Service Manager.
Engage in cash handling at Point of Sale
Collect invoices during the receiving process and ensure they make it to the appropriate party for payment.
Attend supervision, team and all-staff meetings as directed by the Food Service Manager.
Respond to email and all communications in a timely manner in accordance with NMEP communications policies.
Follow company policies including financial policies by managing and submitting financial documents including receipts, requisitions, invoices, and other sensitive documents.
Support data reporting as assigned.
Attend professional development training/workshops.
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALITIES, AND EXPERIENCE
2 years experience working in retail, food service or similar roles
1 year experience including leading and training team members or volunteers for task oversight
Strong interpersonal skills and customer service experience including communicating with a wide variety of people and problem solving customer service and product quality issues
Superior attention to detail
Proficient math skills in measuring, weighing, and counting and converting
Experience and skill with cash handling and using a Point of Sale (POS) system
Experience with quality management/quality control processes
Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office including Excel
Complete ServSafe certification within 30 days of hire
PREFERRED SKILLS, QUALITIES, AND EXPERIENCE
Social media content and management skills including Instagram, Facebook, and food photography and content writing
Experience in process improvement practices
Experience with warehouse equipment such as racks, pallets, pallet jacks, containers, shelving, totes etc.
Experience researching and following trends to make recommendations and informed decisions
Conversational Spanish fluency
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This person must be prepared to serve in all roles included but not limited to Cafe staff, Micro Market staff, Community Harvest staff and general customer service staff and must be able to stand or remain in a stationary position behind a counter for up to 8 hours at a time
Constantly moves about the retail spaces and other off-site locations
Able to lift up to 50 pounds utilizing appropriate support equipment like carts, dollies and pallet jacks
Frequently positions self to reach products stored on high shelves or under a counter
Frequently works in indoor conditions
This person frequently communicates with staff, students, volunteers, vendors, guests to the cafe, and others about cafe and organizational operations, policies, and products. Must be able to communicate and exchange accurate and relevant information in these situations.
Must be able to discern between acceptable and unacceptable product and cleanliness standards in a food service setting
ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS
Compensation: $24-27/hour, commensurate with experience
Hours per week: Full time, Non-Exempt, 40 hours per week
Reports to: Food Service Manager
TO APPLY
To be considered for this position, please submit a resume, cover letter, and 2 professional references HERE. Be sure to include why this position with No More Empty Pots is a good fit for you.
Black, Indigenous, Latinx and any people of color, LGBTQ+ identities and anyone with marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply.
No More Empty Pots does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
Positions available:
1
Posted on:
September 18, 2025