Café Operations Manager | Lead a Café. Grow a Business. Create Opportunities.

Responsibilities

The Café Operations Manager oversees daily café operations, including financial performance, inventory control, and staff development within a social enterprise model. They are responsible for leading the job-training program, driving revenue growth, and ensuring mission alignment through community engagement and operational excellence.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least three years of management experience in hospitality or retail and two years of experience leading teams. Proficiency in business reporting tools, POS systems, and a commitment to the organization's mission are required, along with a ServSafe Manager Certification.

Skills

• Café operations
• Team leadership
• Financial management
• Budgeting
• Inventory management
• Customer service
• Staff development
• Performance management
• Business development
• Marketing
• Catering management
• Cash handling
• Workforce development
• Operational compliance
• Stakeholder engagement
• Toast POS

About this role

The Café Manager owns the MADE by DWC (MADE) café’s operations, job-training program, bringing together strong business leadership and a commitment to developing people. This role is responsible for the overall success of the café, including financial performance, team development, customer experience, and mission impact. As the leader of an employment social enterprise, the manager creates opportunities for employees and trainees to grow while ensuring the business operates successfully. 
 
A successful candidate can build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence; develops high-performing teams; and drives results that strengthen the people, business, and its impact. They are accountable for meeting revenue, expense, labor, inventory, and profitability goals while maintaining a safe, compliant, and mission-aligned operation. Success is measured by the strength of the team, the quality of customer experience, the achievement of business and program goals, and the continued growth and sustainability of MADE. This position reports to the Director of Social Enterprise. 
 
Essential Functions 
* Lead, coach, and develop café staff and trainees to build a high-performing, engaged, and accountable team. 
* Oversee hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance management, and professional development to support employee growth and retention. 
* Own the overall performance of the café, ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and alignment with DWC's mission. 
* Accountable for achieving revenue, expense, labor, inventory, and profitability goals while maintaining a sustainable and mission-aligned operation. 
* Monitor business performance, customer insights, industry trends, and market conditions to identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement. 
* Develop and execute marketing, community engagement, and business development initiatives that increase visibility, revenue, and customer loyalty. 
* Lead catering, pop-up, and special event opportunities that generate revenue, expand brand awareness, and strengthen community relationships. 
* Manage inventory, cash handling, operational controls, and business systems to ensure efficient and effective operations. 
* Lead and continuously improve the paid job-training program, supporting participant development, workforce readiness, and successful outcomes. 
* Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, community partners, vendors, consultants, volunteers, and other key stakeholders. 
* Prepare and present operational, financial, and performance reports to inform decision-making and support leadership, committee, and Board reporting. 
* Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, employment, and operational standards while promoting the mission, vision, and values of DWC and MADE. 
* Perform other duties as necessary to support the success, growth, and sustainability of MADE. 

 
Contributes to 
* In partnership with the Director of Social Enterprise, the Café Manager contributes to: 
* Department and organizational strategic planning. 
* Annual business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance evaluation. 
* Revenue growth, business development, and long-term sustainability strategies. 
* Cross-functional collaboration with programs, marketing, finance, development, operations, and human resources. 
* Strategic partnerships, community engagement, and stakeholder engagement efforts. 
* Continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational change initiatives. 
* Leadership development, talent management, and succession planning efforts. 

 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. 
 
Competencies  
* People Leadership: Builds, develops, and retains high-performing teams through coaching, accountability, and professional development. 
* Business Acumen: Uses financial, operational, and customer insights to drive revenue, profitability, and sustainable growth. 
* Strategic & Results-Oriented: Balances day-to-day operations with long-term goals, takes ownership of outcomes, and delivers results. 
* Communication & Relationship Building: Builds trust and collaborates effectively with employees, trainees, customers, partners, and stakeholders. 
* Problem Solving & Decision Making: Exercises sound judgment, adapts to changing priorities, and makes informed decisions in a fast-paced environment. 
* Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence. 
* Mission Alignment & Cultural Humility: Demonstrates a commitment to DWC's mission, values, diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful engagement with diverse communities. 

 
Supervisory Responsibility 
 
Directly supervises café staff and trainees and oversee volunteers, interns, consultants, and temporary staff supporting café operations. 
 
Work Environment 
 
Downtown Women’s Center operates several program and administrative locations in the Skid Row neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. The organization’s primary hub is located on San Pedro Street (SP) and includes participant-facing services, staff and departmental offices, and Permanent Supportive Housing units. 
Programs at the SP site include the Day Center, Women’s Health Clinic, kitchen and meal services, Trauma Recovery Center, supportive service offices, and housing units, among other operations. 
Although some positions may have a primary work location at another DWC program site or within the community, employees in all roles may be expected to attend trainings, meetings, or other work-related activities at the San Pedro (SP) location. Parking near the San Pedro (SP) Access Center is limited, and employees should plan for offsite parking with a short walk to the site. 
 
This job operates in a professional office and retail environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, pho...

About Downtown Women’s Center

Non-profit Organizations · 51-200 employees · headquartered in Los Angeles, California · founded 1978