Current Job Opening:

Café Manager

The Potter’s House is a café, social justice bookstore, and event space -- but as a nonprofit social enterprise, we’re also much more than that. The Potter’s House is a deeply rooted space where we build relationships across our differences, envision just alternatives, and grow the movements that will make them possible. Since 1960, we have been a steady, welcoming presence in Adams Morgan, offering radical hospitality to all who walk through our doors, and now serving more than 14,000 free meals each year to neighbors who might otherwise go hungry through our “Pay It Forward” program. 

The Cafe Manager is responsible for leading the efficient and profitable operation of the Potter’s House’s café. The Café Manager manages day-to-day café operations, maintains high standards for service and quality, and fosters a friendly and positive environment for both customers and team members -- all in a diverse, grassroots setting. This is a salaried, full-time position with regular weekend hours, reporting to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

You’ll be a great candidate for this job if you…

  • Bring at least 2-3 years of café or restaurant management experience

  • Have a heart for service and a demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice  

  • Are energized by and comfortable with working with a wide range of stakeholders and the public, including a diverse array of vulnerable community members 

  • Demonstrate well-developed interpersonal, coaching, and de-escalation skills

  • Are proficient with standard office software, online ordering systems, etc. 

  • Can regularly work weekends

  • Hold food-service manager certification

Bonus points for any of the following:

  • Spanish-language ability

  • Formal culinary and/or hospitality training

  • Background in coffee

  • Experience working in a nonprofit setting and/or with vulnerable populations

Responsibilities

Café and Kitchen Management

  • Maximize sustainability of the café by growing sales and controlling costs. 

  • Maintain high-quality, consistent standards for our food and beverage.

  • Model the outstanding customer service for which The Potter’s House is known. Proactively anticipate customer needs and solve problems. 

  • Manage ordering and receiving of food, beverages, and supplies.  

  • Support staff with daily café and kitchen operations. 

  • Lead menu innovation, development, and pricing. Plan, execute and communicate sales promotions and new product information.

  • Oversee and set policy for all front and back of house functions, including opening and closing procedures.

  • Maintain a clean, visually appealing and smoothly-operating café that meets or exceeds all public health regulations. Oversee necessary equipment and facility maintenance.

  • Oversee cash management and POS management, including online storefront. 

  • Code and submit invoices and receipts to finance.

Personnel Management

  • Supervise front-of-house café staff and kitchen supervisor, and provide oversight for back-of-house staff. 

  • Manage staff in a way that promotes engagement, creativity, ownership of roles, and potential growth.

  • Oversee recruiting, hiring, training, and evaluation of café and kitchen staff.

  • Manage scheduling and ensure staff coverage while maintaining target labor costs.

Leadership

  • Create and maintain a positive, welcoming, and safe work environment for employees and customers. 

  • Actively participate in management team, offering insight and partnership to The Potter’s House’s overarching mission, goals, and operations. Contribute to organization-wide initiatives and administration as needed.

  • Serve as a key advisor and partner on design and implementation of Pay It Forward and other mission-related programs.

Compensation & Benefits

At The Potter’s House, you’ll work in a welcoming and friendly environment where we’ll do all we can to play to your strengths and interests. We seek to foster an open, kind, and equitable work culture. The Potter’s House is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

The minimum salary for this position is $60,000 per year, commensurate with experience. The Potter's House's benefits package includes employer-sponsored health insurance with 100% premium paid for the company-approved benchmark plan; dental coverage with 50% of premium paid; paid sick and vacation leave that begins accruing on the first day of employment; paid holidays; paid community service days; free employee meals; and discounts on food, books, and gifts.

Physical Demands 

The Potter’s House is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact leigh@pottershousedc.org. 

  • The person in this position is required to:

    • Handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. 

    • Stand; walk; sit; stoop; bend; shake, stir, and pour; and reach with hands and arms. 

    • Occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. 

    • Use close vision, distance vision, and adjust focus. 

    • Stand for periods up to 8 hours (with breaks).

  • This position involves regular exposure to sharp objects, slippery floors, smoke, steam, high temperatures, humidity, and extreme cold. 

  • The employee regularly comes into contact with water, sanitation solutions, meat products, poultry products, seafood, and produce items. 

  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Interested in joining our team? Click here to apply.