ABOUT THIS ROLE
Haven Cafe is a high-volume breakfast, brunch, and lunch operation in Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, generating consistent weekly revenue and growing. Haven Hall, our event space on the same property, adds a second layer of operations that requires coordination, standards, and leadership.
We are not a fully built machine — and that is the point.
We are actively building systems, SOPs, and infrastructure. We need an Operations Lead who is energized by that, not intimidated. If you are the kind of person who walks into a fast-moving environment and immediately sees what needs fixing — this role was built for you.
This is not a passive management position. You will own outcomes.
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YOUR 5 AREAS OF OWNERSHIP
01. INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Ordering, tracking par levels, reducing waste, and keeping costs in check.
02. SOP EXECUTION & ENFORCEMENT
Following the systems we have, holding staff to them, and helping build new ones.
03. TEAM STRUCTURE & ACCOUNTABILITY
Assigning tasks, coordinating shifts, and making sure people do their jobs.
04. TICKET TIMES
Monitoring kitchen output, identifying bottlenecks, and driving speed without sacrificing quality.
05. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE & CLEANLINESS
Front-of-house standards, order accuracy, service quality, and facility upkeep.
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DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Open and/or close the operation according to established procedures
- Monitor and reduce average ticket times during service
- Complete and verify daily prep lists by position and shift
- Place weekly inventory orders based on par levels and sales volume
- Track food waste and report variances to ownership weekly
- Conduct daily cleanliness walk-throughs and address issues immediately
- Manage front-of-house staff assignments and hold team accountable to service standards
- Handle escalated customer concerns before they reach ownership
- Enforce SOP compliance across all positions
- Coordinate logistics for Haven Hall events as needed
- Submit weekly performance report to ownership
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WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- 2+ years managing operations in a fast-paced food service or hospitality environment
- Proven ability to lead a team and hold people accountable
- Strong systems thinker — you identify problems and solve them without being asked
- Comfortable with inventory tools, spreadsheets, and POS systems
- Clear, professional communicator with staff and customers
- Reliable, punctual, and composed under pressure
- Someone who is motivated by results, not just showing up
We will be direct: this environment moves fast and there is work to be done. The right person sees that as an opportunity. If you are looking for an already-perfect operation, this is not the right fit. If you want to help build one — and get paid when you do — keep reading.
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PERFORMANCE BONUS STRUCTURE
Your base pay is guaranteed. Your bonuses are earned. Here is exactly how it works:
TIER 1 — MONTHLY EFFICIENCY BONUS (up to $300/month)
Targets:
- Average ticket time reduced to or maintained below established threshold
- Inventory orders placed on time with no unresolved overages
- Prep lists completed on schedule across all shifts
TIER 2 — MONTHLY STANDARDS BONUS (up to $250/month)
Targets:
- Customer feedback rating maintained at 4.5 stars or above
- Zero critical cleanliness flags during ownership walk-throughs
- Front-of-house order accuracy at 97% or above
TIER 3 — QUARTERLY EXCELLENCE BONUS (up to $750/quarter)
Targets:
- All 5 ownership areas performing at or above target for 3 consecutive months
- No open SOP violations or unresolved staff accountability issues
- Zero escalated ownership interventions required during the quarter
A candidate hitting all three tiers consistently earns between $50,000 and $55,000 annually.
Specific thresholds are finalized during the offer stage based on current operational baselines.
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GROWTH PATH
We are building toward a multi-location hospitality operation. The right person in this role has a clear path to:
- General Manager — full oversight of cafe and event space
- Multi-Venue Operations Director — expanded scope as we grow
- COO-track conversation for candidates who demonstrate strategic ownership
We promote from results, not tenure.
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HOW TO APPLY
Submit your resume and a brief note (3–5 sentences) answering this question:
"Describe a time you walked into a disorganized or high-pressure operation and made it better. What did you do first?"
Applications without a response to this question will not be reviewed.
Send to: [email protected]
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
