Position Title: Café Manager (and Lead Cook)
Department: Visitor Services
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: On-site at Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH
Status: Full-Time, Seasonal*
The Café Manager will be responsible for general operation of the museum café, serving as the lead cook and managing other café staff. The Café Manager will plan, prepare, and serve delicious, high-quality, Shaker and/or locally inspired food, while maintaining a sanitary kitchen and welcoming dining room, and collaborating with other staff to provide excellent dining experiences for patrons.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
· Food Preparation: Execute daily hot and cold food production according to standardized recipes, portion guides, and service specifications.
· Quality Control: Monitor ingredient freshness, taste, and visual appeal before dishes are served.
· Safety & Sanitation: Adhere to all food safety standards. This includes maintaining accurate temperature logs, proper food rotation, and safe handling of allergens and special dietary requests.
· Inventory Management: Plan menus, monitor stock levels, track food waste, place orders and receive deliveries.
· Staff Management: Manage kitchen and front-of-house staff to ensure timely service, especially during peak museum hours and events.
· Financial Management: Oversee operation of thePoint-of-Sale (POS) system and ensure that cash and credit/debit payments are handled, processed, and reconciled correctly.
Qualifications and Requirements:
· Experience: Minimum of 2 years of proven experience as a cook in a professional café, restaurant, institutional kitchen or catering company.
· Certifications: Valid Food Handler’s permit or ServSafe Certification (or willingness to obtain it within the first 30 days).
· Skills: Strong understanding of culinary techniques (grilling, sautéing, baking, etc.) and safe operation of commercial kitchen appliances.
· Physical Demands: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and comfortably navigate a fast-paced work environment.
· Customer Focus: A polite, adaptable, and service-oriented demeanor, with the ability to comfortably interact with museum patrons and staff.
Work Environment:
· Seeking a motivated individual to work efficiently in food production. Must be willing to cross over into food service, when needed.
· Must be able to work well independently, as well as with others.
· Canterbury Shaker Village is open seven days a week from 10 am to 4:30 pm from mid-May through October.* Shifts may regularly include morning, afternoon, and evening hours, including weekends and holidays to accommodate museum operating hours and special events.
· The café is currently under construction/renovation. We anticipate opening in late July or August. Hours may be available before that to help prepare the facility, hire additional staff, and create the menu(s).
· *This position has the potential to be year-round if candidate has ideas, skills, and business acumen to create a food production/preservation business that can sustain the role in the museum’s off season.
Compensation: Pay is expected to be the equivalent of $20 to $26 per hour, depending on experience. Year-round employees are eligible for paid time off, health care reimbursement, and retirement contributions.
To Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Erin Hammerstedt at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled.
About Canterbury Shaker Village
Canterbury Shaker Village (CSV) is a historic site and museum that preserves and shares the legacy of the Canterbury Shakers, promoting learning, connection, and rejuvenation for people from down the street and around the world. Designated as a National Historic Landmark for its architectural integrity and historic significance, CSV has 25 preserved Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed buildings on 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds. The village houses an impressive collection of historic artifacts made and/or used by the Shakers, as well as books, photographs, and documents. Tours, programs, exhibits, and events showcase the property and collection and help visitors chart their own journey. Learn more at www.shakers.org
Equal Opportunity: Canterbury Shaker Village is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations.
Note: Job descriptions are subject to change over time. Canterbury Shaker Village reserves the right to modify the above job description as necessary to accommodate the evolving needs of the organization.
Pay: $20.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Food provided
- Health savings account
Work Location: In person
